10 injured, 7 missing in E China chemical plant blast

A chemical plant blast in east China's Jiangsu province has injured 10 people and left seven others missing, local authorities said Wednesday. [Photo / Chinanews.com]

A chemical plant blast and fire in east China's Jiangsu province has injured 10 people and left seven others missing, local authorities said Wednesday.

The blast occurred at 10:03am at Shuangma Chemical Plant in Rugao city, according to sources with the city's publicity department.

Ten people have been rescued from the scene and sent to hospitals, while seven others remain missing, sources said.

Firefighters have extinguished the flames, and the search for the missing is under way.

Established in 1997, Shuangma Chemical Plant mainly produces stearic acid, fatty acid and glycerol.

The blast has not caused severe air or water pollution, according to local environmental protection authorities.

An investigation into the cause of the blast is ongoing.