Factory blast kills 11, injures 17

A local fireworks factory is in shambles after a blast in Cenxi County, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 1, 2013. Eleven people were killed and 17 others injured in the fireworks factory explosion on Friday afternoon in Cenxi. (Xinhua/Ma Zhenyu)

Eleven people have been killed and 17 others were injured in a fireworks factory explosion on Friday afternoon in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local authorities said on Saturday.

The manager and the legal representative of the factory is under police custody, according to local authorities.

The explosion occurred at about 4 p.m. in Sanbao Township of Cenxi City.

Eleven people died after emergency treatment failed while 17 others remained in hospital for further observation, said the government.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.