The death toll from Saturday's explosion at a fireworks factory in northeastern Jilin Province has increased to seven after one seriously-injured worker died in hospital on Sunday.

Two badly-hurt workers are now in stable condition, said an official with the provincial work safety administration, who asked not to be named. Two more critically-injured workers are now in stable condition, said an official with the provincial work safety administration, who asked not to be named.

The blast ripped through the Chunming Firecracker Factory in the town of Shizui, approximately 10 kilometers northeast of Panshi City, at 4:30 PM on Saturday, leaving six people dead.

Improper operating procedures likely lead to the tragedy, said the unidentified official. No further elaboration was made but investigations into the accident are ongoing.

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2006)