The death toll from a series of explosions which ripped through a chemical plant in southern China has risen to 16 after rescuers found five more bodies.

Another six people are missing, and 57 injured after the blasts early on Tuesday at the factory in Guangxi's Yizou city.

Some 11,500 residents were forced to evacuate the area.

The blaze, which had spread over more than 110,000 sq ft, has been extinguished, the news agency Xinhua said.

It said: "Environment experts went to the area along the Longjiang River, which abuts the plant, to monitor the water quality for contamination."

Emergency official, Ge Xianmin, said poisonous gases, mainly sulfurated hydrogen and carbon monoxide, had been released.

The agency said: "Residents should be safe, but rescuers still need to wear masks.

"Regional work safety authorities are investigating the cause of the accident."

The plant, owned by the Guangxi Guangwei Chemical Company, mainly produced polyvinyl acetate, calcium carbide and vinyl acetate monomer - chemicals used in making paints, adhesives and coatings.

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