China fireworks plant blast kills 19, injures 153

An explosion at a fireworks factory outside Harbin in northeastern China killed 19 people and injured 153, state media reported on Tuesday.

An explosion at a fireworks factory outside Harbin in northeastern China killed 19 people and injured 153, state media reported on Tuesday.

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The Xinhua news agency said five people were still missing after the explosion early on Monday in Yichun city. The blast caused a shockwave felt up to five km (three miles) away and prompted the evacuation of more than 2,000 residents.

A downpour had flooded a warehouse at the site and the blast occurred when workers were moving fireworks out of the building, local authorities told China Radio International.