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Explosion caused by explosives kills 9 in northern China

Rescue workers search after an explosion hit a town in Fugu county, Shaanxi province, China, October 24, 2016. (Photo by Reuters)

At least nine people have been killed and six others sustained injuries after a huge explosion occurred in a residential complex in China’s northern province of Shanxi.

According to official Xinhua news agency, the blast, which took place on Saturday evening, was believed to have been caused by illegally stored explosives. Search and rescue work continued on Sunday afternoon at the site.

State broadcaster CCTV said that a number of buildings collapsed as a result of the accident blast.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the deadly incident.

China has been hit by a series of industrial explosive accidents in residential areas in recent months.

In October last year, at least 14 people lost their lives and dozens more were injured in neighboring Shaanxi province when a blast caused by illegally stored explosives destroyed a block of prefabricated houses. A province-wide investigation into explosive production and storage was launched following the incident.

Both Shanxi and Shaanxi provinces have large coal mining industries, where explosives are regularly used.


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