A powerful explosion at a factory in eastern China's Jiangsu Province Wednesday killed at least six people and injured many more, witnesses and hospital sources said.

Xinhua reporters saw at least six people recorded as dead at hospitals treating people injured in the blast that ripped through an abandoned plastics and chemical factory in northern Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu.

An initial investigation showed gas leak from a pipeline going through the plant at Mufu East Road of Qixia District triggered the blast at about 10:10 a.m..

Buildings and vehicles within a 100-meter radius around the factory were seriously damaged.

The explosion hit a bus that was passing the area, injuring many passengers.

The area has been cordoned off.

Media reports said a man was hit by a falling ceiling when he was sleeping at home. He died later in hospital.

Fire-fighters have brought the blaze in the factory building under control. Rescuers are searching for people in the debris.

Local residents said they felt a tremor and heard a loud noise, and many fled from buildings thinking it was an earthquake.

Authorities could not immediately give the number of casualties, but local media said more than 300 people have been hospitalized and at least 50 people were seriously injured.

Some hospitals have had to evacuate rooms to treat injured people. Ambulances are ferrying the injured from the plant to hospitals.

Many hospitals have almost run out of blood stocks, particularly type A and type O. Many local residents are rushing to a mobile blood collection vehicle parked at a square near the site to donate blood.

Nanjing city government officials are expected to hold a press conference on the blast later Wednesday.

(Xinhua News Agency July 28, 2010)