A series of explosions that ripped through a chemical plant in southern China Tuesday has killed at least 11 people, injured 57 and left 17 others missing.
China's official Xinhua news agency says authorities evacuated more than 11,000 people from within three kilometers of the plant in Guangxi's Zhuang Autonomous Region. The news agency reports the fire at the plant has been extinguished and crews are cleaning up the scene.
Xinhua says it is not yet known how many people were in the plant at the time of the first blast, and that the cause has not yet been established.
At one point, the blaze spread across 10,000 square meters. Firefighters were hindered by continuing explosions and the danger of chemical leaks.
The plant mainly produces chemicals used in adhesives and paints.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
