A fireworks plant explosion in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has killed at least two people with nearly 10 others missing, local police sources said Tuesday.

The explosion occurred at around 3:40 p.m. Sunday when a dozen workers were making fireworks in Jinhuatai Firecrackers Factory in Sijiazizhen area of Chifeng City, in southeastern Inner Mongolia.

Rescuers have found the remains of two victims in the plant while the search for the others is ongoing, the police said, adding that the rescue work is difficult since the smoke over the factory is still thick and there is a danger of a further blast from other firecrackers stored on the site.

The plant owner was detained and the police are investigating the exact number of the missing workers and the cause of the accident.

Also on Sunday, a fireworks plant explosion in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality killed three people and injured eight others.

The blast has leveled several houses and casualties may rise as rescuers searched the debris for more bodies.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2007)