Death toll soars in China chemical blast

The death toll in a huge blast at a chemical plant in eastern China has jumped to 44, with 90 more injured, state media say.

The blast took place at about 14:50 local time (06:50 GMT) on Thursday at a plant in Yancheng run by Tianjiayi Chemical.

The explosion followed a fire at the factory, which makes fertiliser.

China's earthquake administration reported a tremor equivalent to 2.2-magnitude at the time of the blast.

Images on social media showed a fireball exploding at the site, billowing clouds enveloping the area, injured people and damage to buildings.