At least six people were killed when a firecracker factory in northeast China's Jilin Province exploded on Saturday afternoon, local official sources said.

The explosion occurred at 4:30 PM Saturday in Shizui Township, some 10 kilometers northeast of Panshi city. Rescuers have recovered six bodies by 9 PM, according to the sources.

Another three people were badly injured.

(Xinhua News Agency August 20, 2006)