GAS EXPLOSION KILLS 17 IN CHINA

Chinese officials are reporting that a gas explosion at an auto parts factory has killed 17 people and injured 20 in the southern city of Foshan.

District officials in Foshan said in a statement that rescue work is under way at the site of the Wednesday morning explosion.

The Southern Metropolitan Daily reported that witnesses heard three blasts at the Fuhua Engineering and Manufacturing Co. factory, and the facility's walls and ceiling were destroyed.

The blasts also damaged a nearby glass factory and other plants.