Eight people were killed and four have been injured following an explosion on Sunday in a residential building in the northern province of Shanxi.

Authorities reported on Monday evening about a blast in Room 202 which shook the Fourth Building in Changzi City's Jingshan Garden Residential Compound at around 1:30 a.m.

Like Us on Facebook

Eight were confirmed dead after police responded to the incident, while the four wounded victims were rushed to nearby hospitals.

Reports stated that three of the injured blast victims are in critical condition due to severe burns. A 35-year-old male victim suffered multiple fractures from the impact of the explosion.

All injured victims are in stable condition, local authorities reported on Monday.

Rescuers finished their search at around 6:00 p.m. the same day and found no other casualties from the blast.

Residents were allowed to enter the scene to scavenge items that could still be used while more than 60 people helped in cleaning the area.

Reports indicate that natural gas leaked into the building, though the source of the leak is still being investigated.

A part of the building opposite the southern portion is under construction.

A worker from Hebei named 'Chen' described the incident as a 'tragic thing' to happen, citing that after the powerful explosion, smoke covered the entire ground floor.

The Shanxi Academy of Building Research is set to create a reinforcement plan for the building and others that suffered a similar fate. The local government has promised to disinfect the area in order to prevent illnesses brought about by the explosion from spreading.

They have also vowed to provide necessary psychological assistance to those whose relatives were lost in the tragic accident.

Further probes into the state of gas pipes across the city have started in order to ensure that no similar accidents will occur in the future.

Tagschina gas explosion, china explosion, china gas leak, china gas leak incident