The death toll from a massive explosion that rocked a chemical plant in eastern China rose to 44, state media said Friday.

According to state-run People's Daily, 90 others have been seriously injured in Thursday's blast, which was so powerful it knocked down nearby factory buildings and shattered the windows of surrounding homes, while apparently triggering a small 2.2-magnitude earthquake.

The blaze "has been controlled" by firefighters hours after Thursday's blast left an industrial park burning into the night in Yancheng in Jiangsu province, according to broadcaster CCTV.

As of the early hours of Friday, a total of 88 people were "rescued" from the area, including 44 who died in the disaster, CCTV said.

City officials had previously said that at least six people were killed in the explosion, which left dozens injured in the latest incident to put a spotlight on China's chequered industrial safety record.

The explosion - so powerful that it apparently triggered a small 2.2-magnitude earthquake - knocked down factory buildings and shattered the windows of surrounding homes and a school, according to images seen on local media.

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