Beijing, March 25 (IANS) The death toll in a chemical plant explosion in China's Jiangsu province increased to 78 on Monday as rescue workers found 14 more bodies, authorities said.

The bodies were found in a search of 2 square kilometers area around the blast site, Cao Lubao, mayor of Yancheng, said.

Of the victims, 56 have been identified, Xinhua news agency reported. Of the 28 missing persons reported previously, 25 have been confirmed dead and three alive.

The explosion on March 21 was triggered by a fire that broke out in the plant owned by Jiangsu Tianjiayi Chemical Co. Ltd., in Xiangshui county, Yancheng.

--IANS ksk/pcj