One dead, one missing in N. China fireworks blast

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-02 08:59

SHIJIAZHUANG -- One person died and another one was missing after a fireworks explosion on Monday in north China's Hebei Province, rescuers said.

The explosion happened at about 11:15 a.m. in the New Fireworks Research Institute near a village in Handan City.

The blast also left nine people injured. Five of them were receiving medical observation in hospital.

Police have held some managers of the licensed institute. The cause of the explosion was being investigated.