Fireworks deaths reach 20

YICHUN, Heilongjiang - The death toll from Monday's fireworks factory explosion in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province has climbed to 20, with 153 injured and four missing, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The explosion occurred at 9:45 on Monday morning at a factory owned by the Huali Industry Corporation in Wumahe district of Yichun city.

Preliminary investigations showed the factory continued production after operations had been suspended by the local government in June, Sun Yongbo, vice-governor of Heilongjiang, said on Tuesday.