At least five people were killed and three others were reported missing following a blast and fire in a chemical plant in east China's Jiangsu province, authorities said Wednesday.
Rescuers found two bodies on the scene and three people succumbed in hospital after the blast occurred at 10.03 a.m. at Shuangma Chemical Plant in Rugao City, Xinhua reported citing the city's publicity department.
Nine other people injured were receiving treatment at hospital.
Firefighters extinguished the flames and a search for the missing persons was under way.
Shuangma Chemical Plant was incorporated in 1997 and mainly produces edible palm oil, or stearic acid.
An investigation into the cause of the blast was on.