A massive explosion at a chemical plant in northeastern China left at least five people dead and eight others missing, state broadcaster CCTV announced on Monday.
More than 30 other people were injured in the blast that took place on the outskirts of the city of Panjin in Liaoning province east of Beijing.
Footage on social media showed flames and thick black smoke rising from the complex of chemical processing machinery, pipes and storage containers.
Firefighters brought the blaze under control and the local environmental department was monitoring the impact on air quality in the area, according to the government of Panshan County.
Authorities announced that the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
China suffers deadly industrial accidents on a regular basis. The Asian nation pledged stronger safety measures ever since the 2015 explosion in the northern port city of Tianjin that killed 173 people.
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