China factory blast toll 71

Bejing, Aug 3: At least 71 people were killed and 200 injured in a factory explosion in east China's Jiangsu province, a government statement said on Sunday.

There were 264 people at the site when the explosion hit the wheel hub polishing workshop owned by the Taiwanese-invested Kunshan Zhongrong Metal company in Kunshan city Saturday, Xinhua reported.

Kunshan Zhongrong's two senior executives have been placed under police custody, sources said.

Officials have said the explosion was a work-safety accident, and the blast was probably caused by flames igniting dust inside the workshop.

Most of the injured have been transferred to hospitals in nearby cities of Suzhou, Wuxi, Nantong and Shanghai.

IANS