HOHHOT, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from an explosion at a factory in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region remained at two, with the number of missing persons revised down to two, and 78 people hospitalized, according to the latest official update on Sunday.
The blast occurred at around 3 p.m. on Sunday at a plate plant of Baogang United Steel in western Baotou City.
As of 7:50 p.m. on Sunday, local authorities reported two fatalities and two people missing. Seventy-eight individuals have been sent to hospitals for treatment, four of whom suffered serious injuries.
A major rescue operation is underway. Forces from the autonomous region, Baotou City and its Kundulun District have been mobilized. The police have deployed over 170 personnel, more than 70 vehicles and five drones to the scene. Fire and rescue services have dispatched over 130 personnel.
The cause of the blast, which caused noticeable tremors in surrounding areas, remains under investigation. ■
