At least 16 people were killed and 44 others injured in a factory blast in Anhui Province Sunday, the local government said, Xinhua reported.
A blast ripped through the workshops of Jingxin Mining Ltd. Co. in Fengyang County at 3:17 a.m., according to the county government.
The privately-owned company mainly produces and processes quartz sand.
Most of the killed were employees of the company while the injured are residents living nearby.
The injured have been sent to the hospital.