China foundry blast kills 14

Fourteen workers are killed and 59 other injured in an explosion that destroyed an aluminium foundry in eastern China.

Fourteen workers were killed and 59 other injured in an explosion that destroyed an aluminium foundry in eastern China, state media reported on Monday.

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Molten aluminium heated to about 900 degrees Celsius (1,600 Fahrenheit) overflowed from a vat and triggered a massive blast that ripped the roof off the plant at Zouping, Shandong province, on late Sunday, Xinhua news agency said.

Windows were smashed and walls demolished by the force of the blast that also damaged two nearby workshops.

No reason was given for the spill and local authorities have launched an investigation, Xinhua said.