HOHHOT, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Eight individuals previously reported missing after a steel plant explosion in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region last week have been confirmed dead, raising the death toll to 10, authorities announced on Wednesday.

All eight were found with no vital signs following extensive search and rescue efforts, according to a notification issued by the emergency rescue headquarters for the explosion at a plate plant of Baogang United Steel in Baotou City.

The Jan. 18 explosion of a 650-cubic-meter saturated water and steam spherical tank has resulted in 10 fatalities and 84 injuries to date. All those who sustained injuries remain in stable condition.

More than 1,000 personnel from multiple government departments were mobilized for the rescue operation following the explosion.

A major city-wide inspection to identify hidden work safety risks has been launched. Public security authorities have taken lawful measures against those responsible for the accident within the relevant enterprise.

Follow-up procedures and a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident are currently underway. ■