2013 Qingdao oil pipeline explosion

The pipeline leaked for about 15 minutes before it was shut off, spilling oil onto the street and into the sea. Hours later, while cleanup was underway, the oil ignited and exploded in two places. Investigators said oil had seeped into underground utility pipes, which may have contributed to the blasts. Some of the spilled oil also caught fire as it spread across the water.

Rapid urban expansion brought pipelines closer to the public, creating risks and opportunities for theft. There’s no national pipeline database, and investigations have been called ineffective. A Sinopec safety review found 8,000 issues across its sites. A national check later revealed widespread corrosion in pipelines.

36°02′58″N 120°12′54″E / 36.0494°N 120.2150°E / 36.0494; 120.2150