An explosion at a chemical plant in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China killed twenty people on Tuesday. Rescuers confirmed the number of deaths on Wednesday as they found the plant employees in Yizhou City at 4:30 p.m., after the explosion.

There were at least 11,000 evacuated company staff and residents nearby who could return to their homes only on Wednesday afternoon. 470 rescue personnel helped in finding the missing people.

The plant was owned by Guangxi Guangwei Chemical Co. and its first explosion spread to an organic compound workshop inside it, at about 6 a.m. on Tuesday, but the cause of the explosion is still unknown and under investigation.

At 11 a.m. on Wednesday nearly 60 people were hospitalized as the additional explosions spread to containers of flammable substances like formaldehyde and acetylene. Only 10 of the injured were resealed from hospital until now, but the rest have more serious burns and fractures.

Samples of the explosion which lasted until 1 a.m. on Tuesday showed no trace of contamination. The entire blast covered 10,000 sq m and the fire was stopped on Tuesday evening. 100 chemical specialists are now participating in the investigation of the explosion.

The plant which caused the blast produces polyvinyl acetate, usually used in adhesives, calcium carbide, and vinyl acetate monomer which is used in paints, adhesives and coatings.