At least 19 people died, five are missing and another 153 were injured in an explosion at a fireworks factory in northeast China, the official Chinese news agency Xinhua said Tuesday.

The blast occurred on Monday morning at the factory in the Wumahe District of Yichun City in the Heilongjiang province.

Shockwaves from the blast were felt five kilometers away from the factory. The blaze has been practically extinguished but the situation remains dangerous as new explosions may occur due to three timber mills near the fireworks factory, Xinhua said citing a local government official.

At least 20 injured people were sent to a hospital, the China Daily said.

Over 2,000 people were evacuated; hundreds of firefighters were extinguishing the fire caused by the explosion.

Rescuers are currently searching for survivors.

Russian Far East ecologists found no air pollution from the blast in the Russian regions bordering the Chinese province.

In July, at least six people were killed and hundreds injured in a blast and ensuing fire at a plastics and chemical factory in eastern China.

BEIJING, August 17 (RIA Novosti)