An explosion at a metal products factory in east China's Jiangsu province killed eight people on Saturday, state media reported.
According to the official Xinhua agency, the explosion occurred at 3:38 a.m. local time (7:38 p.m. GMT on Friday) at a factory in the city of Changzhou, 180 km northwest of Shanghai.
“A dust explosion occurred at the production workshop of Shenrong Metal Technology Limited, killing eight people and slightly injuring eight others,” Xinhua said.
This type of explosion occurs when flammable particles, including metal, catch fire in the air.
An investigation into the explosion has been launched, Xinhua added.
Fatal workplace accidents are common in China because safety regulations are often not followed.
In May 2023, nine people died in an explosion at a hydrogen peroxide production plant in Liaocheng, eastern Shandong province.
In November 2022, 38 people died at a factory in Henan, central China, with authorities blaming employees for improper handling during an electric welding operation.