Blast in chemical plant in eastern China kills 44

BEIJING

An explosion on Thursday in a chemical plant in eastern China killed at least 44 people and injured 640 others, said Chinese state media.

The blast took place at a plant run by Tianjiayi Chemical in Yancheng, said state news agency Xinhua.

Another 90 people were seriously injured, the local government reported Friday.

The injured were rushed to hospitals.

A fire that broke after the explosion was brought under control on Friday, state TV said.

An investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the blast.

Writing by Zehra Nur Duz