Two people were killed in a blast at an abandoned factory in Pucheng county, Shaanxi province, China Daily learned from the county government on Thursday. Three people are missing after the blast at 5 pm on Wednesday and five others were injured.

The explosion occurred in Xinglong village where a resident, Xu Shengli, allegedly stored dynamite for fireworks in the abandoned factory. The blast also destroyed some houses.

The injured were immediately rushed to a hospital where they are said to be in stable condition.

Police and firefighters are searching for the missing.

Police did not say if Xu was a casualty of the blast, but said that the accident was a criminal case and an investigation has been launched.