Massive Explosion in China: 12 missing in chemical plant explosion in northern China, 2 deaths

At least two people have died and 12 are missing in a massive explosion at a chemical plant in northeast China. Another 34 people were injured in Sunday's blast on the outskirts of Panjin city in Liaoning province, east of the capital Beijing.

Local government news releases showed pictures of flames and thick black smoke billowing from the complex of chemical processing machinery, pipes and storage containers. 

Firefighters got the fire under control

The government of Panshan county, in the city's suburbs, said in a news release that firefighters have brought the blaze under control and the local environment department is monitoring the impact on air quality in the area.

Officials said the cause of the accident is being investigated. People posting on social media said they felt the jolt of the explosion, but the damage did not extend beyond the plant.

China, the world's second largest economy, regularly suffers fatal industrial accidents

The central government has promised stronger security measures since a 2015 explosion at a chemical warehouse in the northern port city of Tianjin killed 173 people, most of them firefighters and police officers. In that case, several local officials were accused of accepting bribes to ignore security breaches.