Liaoning - northeast China-January 16, 2023

An explosion occurred inside a chemical plant in the province

At least 5 people were killed in Anshan, Liaoning province, in northeast China, while eight others were considered missing.

According to the state broadcaster CCTV, "the fire is currently under control".

Videos and photos published by TV showed a thick cloud of black smoke and flames rising from the factory, as well as a group of firefighters outside the building.

According to the TV station, more than 330 firefighters were deployed to control the fire.

An earlier toll indicated two dead, 34 injured and 12 missing.

In November, 38 people were killed in a factory fire in central China that authorities said was caused by workers misusing equipment.

In March 2019, an explosion at a chemical plant in Yancheng, 260 kilometers from Shanghai, killed 78 people and destroyed houses several kilometers away.

In 2015, China experienced one of its worst industrial accidents when massive chemical explosions in the northern city of Tianjin killed at least 165 people.