Another body was found Friday morning, putting the death toll to 15 in the Thursday firework factory explosion in east China's Shandong Province.

The explosion occurred at 4:20 pm Thursday at a farmhouse in Caoxian County of Heze City when about 16 workers were working.

Fifteen people were confirmed dead and five injured. All the victims were workers from nearby villages, said sources with the local public security department.

The accident was caused by illegal production of the factory, which is unknown to the neighborhood as a fireworks production site since it was put into operation over 10 days ago.

The injured have been hospitalized and further investigation is underway.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2004)