Death toll in China's fireworks factory explosion rises to 19

New Delhi, Aug 17 (ANI): The death toll in Monday's explosion at a fireworks factory in China's Heilongjiang province has climbed to 19, with five missing and another 153 injured.

The incident took place on Monday morning at the factory in the Wumahe District of Yichun City.

It killed nine of the factory's 51 workers and injured 35.

Another eight were killed and 35 injured when the explosion hit the neighboring Taiye Wood Factory.

The blast also killed two pedestrians and injured 83 residents near the factory.

Over 2,000 residents were evacuated after the explosion shattered windows within a one kilometer radius of the factory, the Xinhua news agency reports.

According to reports, the shockwave of the explosion was felt up to five kilometers away.

The cause of the accident is under investigation. (ANI)