Nineteen killed in Chinese chemical plant blast
Authorities investigating cause of explosion that also left 12 people injured
Nineteen people have been killed in an explosion at a chemical plant in the southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan, local authorities said.
The explosion happened at 6.30pm on Thursday in an industrial zone in Jiangan county, according to a statement issued by the Sichuan Industry Safety Supervision Administration.
Twelve people were injured in the accident, the cause of which is under investigation, the statement said.
None of those injured were in a critical condition, according to the local government.
Footage from state broadcaster CCTV showed heavy smoke rising from the factory, which was owned by the Hengda Science and Technology Company.
Fire crews sent to the scene put out the fire later on Thursday and local firefighters told The Beijing News that the blast had been caused by exploding methanol but did not provide further details.
Hengda was set up three years ago and is listed as a chemical product manufacturer and distributor on a Chinese business registration database, Southern Metropolis News reported