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Flash explosion during welding to seal leaks! Report on the investigation into the major flash explosion incident that occurred on April 7, 2021, in Dingyuan County, Chuzhou City released. At around 10 a.m. on April 7, 2021, a flash explosion took place while Shanghai Longjing Environmental Protection Company was carrying out welding work to seal a leak on the top of the desulfurization and pulping tank at Huasu Thermal Power Plant in Dingyuan County, Chuzhou City. As a result, 6 workers fell from the top of the tank (at a height of about 5 meters); 1 person died on the spot, while 5 others died despite efforts to save them at the hospital. According to a report on the website of the Anhui Provincial Emergency Management Department, recently the province approved the \"Investigation Report on the Major Flash Explosion Incident that Occurred on April 7, 2021, in Dingyuan County, Chuzhou City.\" It endorsed the investigation team’s analysis of the causes and nature of the incident, its determination of responsibilities, as well as the relevant recommendations for handling the situation, along with the preventive measures and corrective actions proposed. At around 9:47 on April 7, 2021, a flash explosion occurred at the captive thermal power plant of Anhui Huasu Co., Ltd. in Lüqiao Town, Dingyuan County, Chuzhou City, resulting in 6 deaths and direct economic losses of 9.3537 million yuan. The investigation report determined that the accident was a significant liability accident in production safety. Immediate cause of the accident: After leakage occurred in the return pipeline of the calcium carbide slurry pump in the desulfurization and slurry preparation area, workers carried out welding work on the top of the slurry storage tank. The mixture of acetylene and carbon monoxide that had accumulated inside the tank for a long time exploded when exposed to the metal sparks generated during the welding process. Indirect cause of the accident: The responsible entities involved in the accident failed to fulfill their obligations regarding safe production, and the local authorities **and their relevant departments failed to provide adequate supervision over the safety of this enterprise. The investigation report recommends exempting the two individuals directly responsible for the deaths in the accident from criminal liability ； Appropriate party discipline and administrative sanctions, as well as criminal penalties, were imposed on 14 responsible persons from the relevant enterprises ； Appropriate administrative penalties were imposed on the 3 companies involved in the accident. At the same time, the Commission for Discipline Inspection and Supervision held 4 organizations and 5 leading officials accountable. The investigation report puts forward recommendations for accident prevention measures: first, Chuzhou City and Dingyuan County should raise awareness and strengthen the implementation of safety responsibilities. Strengthen the awareness of red lines and bottom-line thinking, effectively close security loopholes, strictly prevent all types of accidents, and ensure the safety of people’s lives and property. All levels of government, various departments, and industrial park management committees must strengthen supervision and management of work safety in accordance with the law, work together to create a cohesive effort, and continuously improve the level of safety management in their respective areas. Second, strengthen supervision to prevent and mitigate security risks. Thoroughly identify the weak points in work processes, carry out in-depth inspections and rectifications of potential hazards, and ensure that all safety prevention measures are effectively implemented. It is necessary to step up law enforcement efforts to crack down on various illegal activities, strictly supervise technical service agencies such as those engaged in safety assessments, strengthen the integrity of these agencies, and impose severe penalties for any violations of regulations. Third, companies involved in the accidents must take full responsibility and improve their inherent safety levels.