Two workers were killed Thursday, and another two injured, in a blast at a private asphalt felt factory in Hepu county, Beihai city of southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Cen Yinggao, a local official in charge of work safety supervision, said the tragedy occurred at about 5:00 PM Thursday. Two workers died on the spot and another two were injured.

The factory's bank account and products were frozen by the local government.

Cen said that a preliminary probe suggested that the accident was caused by the explosion of a pressure container vessel. Further investigation is underway at press time.

(Xinhua News Agency November 4, 2005)