Twenty workers were confirmed dead and two others were injured in a blast occurred at an explosive plant in Zhaoyuan City of east China's Shandong Province, a local government official said on Sunday.

Rescuers are searching for another nine workers missing in the explosion, according to the provincial administration of production safety.

The injured have been hospitalized and were in stable condition, according to the administration.

The blast occurred at a packing workshop of No. 761 Explosive Co. Ltd. in Xiadian Town at 7:05 PM Saturday, when 31 workers were working at the site. Twenty died on the spot.

A task force of the provincial government, headed by a vice provincial governor, has arrived at the site of the explosion to organize rescue work.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

(Xinhua News Agency April 2, 2006)