At least 16 were dead and 43 hospitalized after an explosion at a chemical plant in north China's Hebei Province, according to local authorities.

Rescuers are searching for the missing at the explosion site.

The accident happened at around 9:30 a.m. on February 28, 2012 at Hebei Keeperchemical Industries Co., Ltd. The blast flattened one of the factory's workshops and shattered window panes within a radius of 2,000 meters.

Dozens more were feared missing or dead at the scene, according to Zhaoxian county's deputy chief Wu Haijiang.

Wu said about 100 people were at work when the blast happened. But the emergency rescue headquarters were forced to halt search and rescue Tuesday night, fearing further blasts might cause more fatalities, he said.

Rescue work resumed Wednesday morning.

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