At least five dead and 19 injured in chemical plant explosion in China – reports

Thick plumes of black smoke were visible from the site (Anonymous via AP)

At least five people have died and 19 have been injured in a chemical plant explosion in eastern China, state broadcaster CCTV has reported.

The huge blast rocked the facility in the country’s eastern Shandong province at around midday on Tuesday, the broadcaster said, with thick plumes of black smoke visible from the site.