13 die in China fireworks factory blast

BEIJING - Thirteen people have died and 148 were injured in a fireworks factory blast in northeast China Monday, Xinhua reported.

The blast occurred at 9.45 a.m. in a factory owned by Huali Industry Co. Ltd. in Yichun city of Heilongjiang province, a spokesman of the city government said.

Over 2,000 people were evacuated from the area after the blast that shattered window panes up to a kilometre away.

A fire that broke out after the blast was brought under control.