Twenty workers were confirmed dead and two others were injured
in a blast occurred at an explosive plant in Zhaoyuan City of east
China's
Shandong Province, a local government official said on
Sunday.
Rescuers are searching for another nine workers missing in the
explosion, according to the provincial administration of production
safety.
The injured have been hospitalized and were in stable condition,
according to the administration.
The blast occurred at a packing workshop of No. 761 Explosive
Co. Ltd. in Xiadian Town at 7:05 PM Saturday, when 31 workers were
working at the site. Twenty died on the spot.
A task force of the provincial government, headed by a vice
provincial governor, has arrived at the site of the explosion to
organize rescue work.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2006)