"explosion"

Preliminary investigation has found that a technical fault in a heavy machine inside the factory caused the high- intensity blast.

The expanded polyethylene plant in Hebei province's Wuji county went up in flames around 6 pm on Thursday.

A powerful explosion took place in the chemical factory at 2.40 am.

A fire control room official said at least 26 rescue and fire-fighting vehicles were sent to the spot after a fire-explosion call was received around 11 am.

As per police, the three were making crude bombs in the house to kill wild boars.

No group has claimed responsibility, but fighting between the Taliban and government has surged in recent weeks.

The district magistrate said that injured people were immediately rushed to the hospital.

Provincial police spokesman Farid Khan said most of the victims were Afghan security force members but several civilians were also among the dead.