The death toll from an explosion in China's eastern Jiangsu province has now risen to 62.

The blast occurred on Thursday at a chemical facility in Chenjiagang Industrial Park in the city of Yancheng, and also left hundreds of people injured.

Photo taken on March 22, 2019 shows the accident site of an explosion at a chemical facility in Chenjiagang Industrial Park in the city of Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. [Photo: VCG]

Investigations are still underway to ascertain the cause of the fatal explosion.

Of the 62 people that have been confirmed dead, 26 have been identified while the identities of the other 36 are still being awaited. 28 others are however still missing.

Of the patients that were treated, 34 were reported to be in critical conditions and 60 were seriously injured. Others had injuries of varying degrees.

China's earthquake monitoring agency reported a magnitude 3 earthquake in Jiangsu after the explosion. Authorities later managed to put out a resultant fire.

The explosion is reported to have shattered windows of residential buildings across the industrial park.