1 killed, 12 missing in north China factory blast

An explosion at a chemical plant in Tangshan, North China's Hebei province Friday about noon has left one injured and 12 others missing. [Photo by Li Junyi]

One person has been confirmed dead and 12 others remain missing after a factory blast in north China's Tangshan, Hebei Province Friday, local authorities said.

The blast took place around 11:25 a.m. in a chemical plant of the Kailuan Group Co., Ltd in Guye District of Tangshan City. The plant mainly produces waterproof explosives for mining.

An initial investigation showed that 13 people were working inside the plant at the time of the blast.

The blast resulted in the collapse of the roof of the two-story plant. Workshops about 500 meters away from the site of the explosion were also affected with a gate broken and windows shattered.

Rescue work continues. A probe into the cause of the blast is under way.