5 killed, 8 missing in north China chemical plant explosion

BEIJING (AP) — A massive explosion at a chemical plant in northeastern China has killed at least five people and left eight missing. More than 30 other people were injured in the explosion Sunday on the outskirts of the city of Panjin in Liaoning province east of the capital, Beijing. News releases from the local government showed photos of a major fire and thick black smoke rising from the complex. The local government said in a statement that fire crews have brought the blaze under control and the local environmental department is monitoring the impact on air quality in the area.