Thousands evacuated after Taiwan chemical plant explosion - PHOTOS

Authorities in Taiwan evacuated more than 10,000 villagers after an explosion rocked a chemical plant in an industrial zone in Mailiao township, Yunlin county in central-southern Taiwan, Report informs citing TASS.

The explosion at an aromatics plant of Formosa Chemical and Fiber Corp at about 2 p.m. shattered glass in nearby buildings and shook houses kilometers away, local police and fire fighters said.

The blast wave was felt by people who were within a few kilometers from the plant. No deaths or injuries are reported. By the preliminary information, the cause of the explosion was a gas leak.

Formosa Chemical and Fiber has already been fined more than $ 160,000 for environmental pollution. Investigation is underway.