Sixteen women workers have been killed in an explosion at a fireworks factory in eastern China's Jiangxi province, the official Xinhua agency says. At least three other workers were hurt in the blast, the cause of which has not been determined.
The blast in the city of Pingxiang reportedly scattered gunpowder and left a crater measuring 80 square metres.
China's government has tried to crack down on illegal and unsafe firework factories.
Many of the workers are poverty-stricken villagers who endure great health risks.
Attempts to regulate the firework industry were made three years ago, when an explosion in a village in Jiangxi province killed 42 people, many children amongst them.
China is the world's largest manufacturer of fireworks.
One-Minute World News 
News services
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 