Thirteen killed in chemical plant blast in China

At least 13 people have been killed and 43 injured in an explosion at a chemical plant in northern China.

Officials and state media said the blast flattened a workshop at the Hebei Zhaoxian Kerr Chemical Company on the outskirts of the Hebei provincial capital of Shijiazhuang and shattered windows in surrounding villages.

The state Work Safety Administration said on its website that the explosion happened during the production of a high-energy fuel and propellant, guanidine nitrate.

AP