On April 6th, in the Fulike Plaza residential area of Liwan District, Guangzhou, a boy was conducting a chemical experiment at home which resulted in an explosion, causing injuries to his eyes and abdomen. After being hospitalized, he is currently out of danger.
According to reports from Jingmu News and Southern Metropolis Daily, on that day, netizens claimed that there was a loud noise coming from a residential building on Enzhou North Heng Street in Liwan District, Guangzhou. According to a local merchant, an explosion occurred in a resident’s home, and they saw a student-looking resident being taken into an ambulance.
Screenshots from the community chat group showed that around 13:30, netizens reported that the building “shook for a moment,” and subsequently fire trucks and ambulances arrived at the scene for assistance.
In response to this incident, the Guangzhou Emergency Management Bureau stated that the explosion was caused by a boy conducting an experiment at home. The Liwan Central Hospital in Guangzhou reported that they admitted a 15-year-old victim who suffered burns due to an explosion caused by an experiment at home, with more serious injuries to the eyes and abdomen. The victim is now out of danger.
On April 7th, this topic trended on Weibo.
Many netizens expressed sentiments such as, “Brave little scientist, remember to stay safe,” and “It’s a good thing for children to have a spirit of scientific inquiry. However, dangerous experiments like chemical experiments must be prepared for in a designated location. It’s absolutely not safe to conduct experiments at home.” Others added, “At the very least, protective goggles should be worn during experiments. Wishing for a speedy recovery.”
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety precautions, especially when conducting experiments involving hazardous materials. It highlights the need for proper supervision and guidance for young aspiring scientists to ensure their well-being while exploring their interests in science.