Blast rocks chemical plant in E China, casualties unknown

An explosion ripped through a factory in Yancheng City in east China's Jiangsu Province on Thursday afternoon, while casualties remain unknown, local authorities said.

According to media reports,the explosion occurred in a production facility in the factory, which was operated by Tianjiayi Chemical, and the explosive substance was benzene.

Firefighters are battling the fire at the scene.

Further information on the blast has yet to be released.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)