Explosion Near Chemical Plant in China Kills 22, Injures 22 More (VIDEO)

An explosion near a chemical plant in China's Zhangjiakou has left 22 people dead and 22 more injured, local authorities reported.

22 people died and 22 more were injured in an explosion near a chemical plant in China's city of Zhangjiakou, the city’s authorities said in a statement.

The fire after the explosion has destroyed 38 trucks and 12 cars, according to reports.

#Update: 22 killed, 22 others wounded in the explosion at a chemical factory in Zhangjiakou, North China’s Hebei Province; injured hospitalized, probe underway. (Video: We Video) pic.twitter.com/ZmqKWKkvzA

— Global Times (@globaltimesnews) November 28, 2018

The blast occurred at 0:41 a.m. (16:41 on Tuesday GMT). ​The search and rescue operation as well as the investigation into the causes of the explosion are ongoing.

According to the Paper media outlet, a truck exploded while entering the Hebei Shenghua Chemical company's plant. It is unclear whether the truck belonged to the company.

Employees of the company told the outlet that there were a lot of plants in the area and it is unknown whether their work was affected by the explosion.

The work of the Hebei Shenghua Chemical company's plant was suspended over the incident.

Zhangjiakou is one of the cities that will host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games along with Beijing.