President demands all-out rescue efforts as blast at factory kills, hurts dozens

China's top leadership on Friday ordered all-out efforts to search for and rescue victims of a deadly chemical blast in Jiangsu province in which 62 people died and 94 were seriously injured.

Strong measures also were taken to prevent any subsequent pollution. A thorough inspection of high-risk industries was ordered nationwide to root out similar dangers.

The blast occurred at 2:48 pm on Thursday at the Tianjiayi chemical plant in Xiangshui county's Chenjiagang chemical park, and the fire spread to 16 enterprises nearby.