China today permanently shut down a section of an oil pipeline in east China's coastal Qingdao city after it suffered heavy damage following the recent deadly explosions that killed 55 people.
The rescue headquarters said that a section of pipeline linking Qingdao's Huangdao District with Dongying City, both in Shandong Province, has been shut down after it was found leaking, triggering the twin blasts.
The crude oil began leaking from the underground pipeline operated by state-owned top oil firm Sinopec leading to the explosions on November 22.
Fifty-five people were killed about 160 injured in the blasts. Nine people remain missing.
Nine people, including seven officials of the state-owned Sinopec, were taken into custody in connection with the last week's rupture that triggered one of the country's worst industrial accidents.
