Blast in factory kills 9 in northeast China

BEIJING: At least nine people were killed in an explosion at a chemical plant in China's Heilongjiang Province, local officials said early Thursday morning.

The explosion and fire occurred at about 10:10 p.m. Wednesday at a three-storey building at Fuxing Chemical Plant located in Lamadian Town of Ranghulu District in Daqing.

Fourteen people were inside the building when the accident happened, local government said.

Nine people died on the scene while the other five fled the building.

Cause of the explosion remained unknown, as investigation and search efforts are still underway.