China chemical plant blast kills 19, injures 12

CHENGDU -- A blast in an industrial park in southwest China's Sichuan Province has killed 19 and injured 12 on Thursday evening, local authorities said.

The blast occurred at around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at a chemical plant Hengda in an industrial park in Jiang'an County, Yibin City, according to the provincial work safety administration.

The Jiang'an county government said the fire has been put out on Friday morning. The injured are in stable condition.

Further investigation is underway.

The company Hengda, registered in June 2015, mainly produces chemical products.