A chemical plant in Panjin, Northeast China's Liaoning province exploded on Sunday afternoon, according to Panshan county government.

So far, two people were killed, 12 were missing, four were seriously injured and 30 had minor injuries in the explosion. The injured were hospitalized.

The accident occurred in the maintenance process of the facility applied in alkylation reaction of Panjin Haoye Chemical Co Ltd, around 1:25 pm.

Local authorities carried out emergency response and rescue work, the statement from the county's publicity department said. The wounded are being treated and the cause of the accident is under investigation.