Explosion at fast food restaurant in northwestern China kills 8

Explosion at fast food restaurant in northwestern China kills 8

2011-11-15 00:06:12 GMT+7 (ICT)

XI'AN, CHINA (BNO NEWS) -- A suspected gas explosion at a fast food restaurant in northwestern China has killed at least eight people, including several children, officials said on Monday. More than 30 others were injured.

The explosion happened at around 7.40 a.m. local time on the first floor of the Jiatian International Mansion, a commercial building in the city of Xi'an which was housing a fast food restaurant. The blast was so powerful that a bus stop and vehicles near the building were destroyed.

Emergency teams rushed to the scene of the accident, but health officials at the Gaoxin Hospital and the provincial People's Hospital confirmed the deaths of seven people. Firefighters later discovered the body of an eighth victim who had been buried under the debris.

In addition to the fatalities, at least 31 others were injured, including seven people who were reported to be in a critical condition. Most of the victims were pedestrians walking near the building, some of them children who were on their way to school.

The state-run Xinhua news agency said the blast was caused by a liquefied petroleum gas leak, but gave no other details.

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