At Least 12 Killed In Huge Gas Explosion In Central Chinese City

June 13, 2021

At least 12 people were killed in a huge gas explosion in central China on Sunday, state media reported.

The blast took place at about 6:30 a.m. local time in the Zhangwan district of Shiyan city, in Hubei province, according to local authorities.

Authorities have rescued 138 from the area, including 37 with serious injuries, according to state-run news outlet CCTV, quoting local officials.

The city's municipal office initially said "many" people were trapped after the incident.

Images circulating on social media, which appeared to be from the scene, showed rescue workers in orange jumpsuits working through the wreckage of flattened houses.

Windows of nearby buildings were shattered by the explosion in Shiyan city, Hubei province.

The cause of the accident is under investigation, according to the city government, which said on Chinese microblogging platform Weibo that it is organizing rescue efforts.