Explosion at China power station kills 21

A high-pressure steam pipe has exploded at a power station in central China, killing 21 people and injuring five others.

The official newspaper of Hubei province said the blast occurred today at the power plant in the city of Danyang.

#Update: At least 21 killed, 5 wounded, 3 of whom in serious condition after #blast of chemical plant in Dangyang pic.twitter.com/XqmcMw9XXA

— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) August 11, 2016

It said officials rushed to the site to oversee rescue efforts and the cause of the explosion was being investigated.

China continues to suffer from frequent industrial accidents despite a central government-ordered drive to upgrade safety.

#BREAKING: #Explosion reported at chemical plant in Dangyang, C #China's Hubei Province; at least 21 death reported pic.twitter.com/Fall9LYhFC

— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) August 11, 2016

Those efforts were redoubled after a massive series of explosions at a chemical warehouse in the eastern port city of Tianjin a year ago killed 173 people - mostly firefighters and police - in one of China's worst-ever workplace accidents.