Two workers were killed and three others were seriously injured in chemical plant explosions Tuesday afternoon in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, according to local government.

The blasts took place at the Nanjing Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. at 1:45 PM Tuesday when a synthetic purifier under repair exploded. Five workers were injured on the spot and two of them died in hospital.

The three injured persons are still in critical condition, according to hospital source.

After careful monitoring, the city's environment protection department said the explosion would not cause any air or water pollution. All data acquired show the air around the plant is up to state requirement.

Investigation on the cause of the explosion is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2006)