Twelve people were killed and more seriously injured in an explosion taking place at Saturday night in a fireworks factory in Hepu County, Beihai City of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, witnesses said.

According to the sources, the explosion happened at the ninth workshop of the Gongguan Export Fireworks Factory based in Xinxiu Village, Gongguan Township, around 20:50 hours on Saturday.

There were at least 19 workers on the spot when the accident took place, according to Zhang Yuanbi, a worker on duty Saturday night. The cause of the explosion is under investigations.

Also on Saturday, another explosion happened at a nearby underground firecracker plant in Gongguan Township in the morning, killing four and seriously injuring five, said local sources.

(Xinhua News Agency November 16, 2003)