Manila (dpa) - The death toll in a firecracker factory blast in the
Philippines rose to eight as rescuers continued to scour the rubble on
Friday in search for factory workers reported still missing, local
officials said.

   Forty-three people were wounded in the huge explosion on
Thursday in the sprawling compound of Starmaker Fireworks Factory in
Trece Martires town in Cavite province, 25 kilometres south of Manila,
according to town Mayor Melencio de Sagun.

   De Sagun said most of the wounded have been allowed to go home
after being treated in hospital, but two remained in critical condition
due to severe burns.

   He said his office was still trying to confirm the number of
missing because of conflicting reports. Some reports said up to 19
people were still missing, but police said only two were missing.

   The explosion was so powerful that it destroyed the sprawling
factory, while glass panels of houses within a three-kilometre radius
were shattered.

   Police have not yet established the cause of the blast at the
factory, which had manufactured fireworks for two decades. The company
is a known maker of quality fireworks, and its products were exported
to other countries. (dpa)