Shenyang (China), June 23 (UNI) Four people were killed, and five others injured in a furnace accident at a steel factory in northeast China's Liaoning Province, authorities said on Friday.

The accident occurred at 7:55 AM on Thursday at the Yingkou Steel Co., Ltd. in the city of Yingkou, according to the city's administration of emergency response.

Four people died despite medical efforts to save them, while the injured are receiving treatment, according to Xinhua news.

A preliminary investigation showed that the accident was caused by an equipment malfunction, according to the administration.

(With UNI inputs)