An explosion at a chemical plant in Xintai in Shandong province of eastern China has killed fourteen workers. It happened at a melamine production unit where a condenser was being maintained and repaired, local officials say.

The cause of the explosion is not yet known.

Accidents in factories and on construction sites are common and are often blamed on widespread disregard for basic safety measures- and China’s coalmines are the most dangerous in the world, despite the government’s efforts to improve safety standards.

The local news agency reported that the explosion happened on Saturday afternoon and the plant belongs to Shandong Liaherd Chemical Industry Co Ltd

Four workers were killed outright and ten more died in hospital, while another five injured were in a stable condition, said the statement. An investigation into the cause of the blast is under way.

Melamine is a nitrogen-rich chemical used to make plastics and other products: however, Xinhua said no poisonous or harmful substances were released by the explosion.

China chemical plant explosion claims 14 lives