Blast at Chinese chemical plant kills 47, injures 640

A massive explosion at a pesticide plant in eastern China killed 47 people and injured more than 600, state media said on Friday.

The blast - which registered as a small earthquake in Jiangsu province - inflicted the latest casualties in a series of industrial accidents that has angered the public.

The explosion occurred on Thursday at the Chenjiagang Industrial Park in the city of Yancheng, and the resulting fire was finally brought under control at 3am on Friday (19:00 GMT), state television reported.

Children at a kindergarten in the vicinity were also injured in the blast.

Survivors were taken to 16 hospitals with 640 people being treated for injuries. Thirty-two victims were critically injured, it said. More than 3,500 medical workers were mobilised to assist.