A powerful factory blast killed at least 69 people and injured more than 100 others in east China's Jiangsu Province last night. There were more than 200 workers at the site when the explosion hit the wheel hub polishing workshop owned by the Kunshan Zhongrong Metal in the city of Kunshan at 7:37 a.m. (23:37 Friday GMT), the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on Saturday.
Forty-four people were immediately killed while 25 succumbed to their injuries later at hospital, according to the report.
Following the explosion, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out efforts to treat the injured and comfort the families of the dead.
Xi also demanded a full investigation into the accident and harsh punishments for those responsible. An initial probe indicated that the explosion might be caused by flames igniting dusts, the Ministry of Public Security said. State Councilor Wang Yong is heading for the site of the deadly factory blast, it said. Established in 1998, Kunshan Zhongrong mainly produces automobile parts, according to Xinhua. Its website said the company has 450 employees and listed General Motors as a client.
The factory is located in Kunshan's economic and technological development zone, which is 70 kilometers away from Shanghai.