China orders all-out search, rescue after chemical plant explosion

BEIJING -- China has ordered all-out search and rescue efforts following a chemical plant explosion in the northeastern Liaoning province on Sunday. Five people have been reported dead and eight are missing.

The incident occurred during maintenance at the plant's alkylation facility in Liaoning's Panshan county at approximately 1:30 pm.

A team from the Ministry of Emergency Management has arrived at the site of the explosion.

Professional rescue forces have been deployed, including 443 firefighters equipped with 105 fire engines, according to the ministry.