A chemical plant blast and fire in east China's Jiangsu Province have killed five people and left three others missing, local authorities said Wednesday.
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Rescuers found two bodies on the scene and three people died in hospital after the blast occurred at 10:03 a.m. at Shuangma Chemical Plant in Rugao City, according to sources with the city's publicity department.
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Nine other people injured were receiving treatment at hospital, the sources said.
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Firefighters have extinguished the flames, and the search for the missing is under way.
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Established in 1997, Shuangma Chemical Plant mainly produces edible palm oil, or stearic acid.
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The blast has not caused severe air or water pollution, according to local environmental protection authorities.
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An investigation into the cause of the blast is ongoing.Â