Fireworks factory explosion kills 13
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The death toll from a fireworks factory explosion Monday in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has climbed to 13, with 148 others injured, said local authorities.
The explosion occurred at 9:45 a.m. in a factory owned by the Huali Industry Co., Ltd. in the Wumahe District of Yichun City, said a spokesman with the city's government.
More than 2,000 residents were evacuated after the explosion shattered windows within a kilometer radius and damaged iron fences up to 100 meters away.
Witnesses said the shockwave of the explosion was felt up to five kilometers away.
The fire is largely under control after a helicopter dumped water on the blaze, but some fireworks were still exploding, said the spokesman.
The situation is still severe as there are three timber mills and one chopstick plant near the fireworks factory, said Leng Li, head of the district's fire brigade.
The fire has already spread to the chopstick factory, he added.
More than 1,700 people and 62 fire trucks were trying to extinguish the fire and searching for the survivors, said the spokesman.
Usually 40 to 50 people worked in the factory during weekdays, but exact number of workers present at the time of the explosion was not known.
"Fire trucks are hosing water onto nearby storehouses to prevent another explosion," said Xu Zhaojun, Party chief of Yinchun City.
Forty medical experts dispatched by the provincial health department arrived in Yichun at around 10 p.m. to help treat the injured.
The cause of the accident is under investigation.
