Restaurant explosion kills 31 in northwest China

At least 31 people were killed when an explosion caused by a gas leak ripped through a restaurant in the northwestern Chinese city of Yinchuan, state media said on Thursday (Jun 22).

At least 31 people were killed when an explosion caused by a gas leak ripped through a restaurant in the northwestern Chinese city of Yinchuan, state media said on Thursday (Jun 22).

The blast occurred on the eve of the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday when many in China go out and socialise with friends.

Nine people including the restaurant's "owner, shareholders and staff" were held by police following the explosion, state broadcaster CCTV said, adding that "their assets have been frozen".

Footage on CCTV showed more than a dozen firefighters working at the site as smoke poured out of a gaping hole in the restaurant's facade.

Shards of glass and other debris littered the darkened street, which is also home to a number of other eateries and entertainment venues.

"A leak of liquefied petroleum gas ... caused an explosion during the operation of a barbecue restaurant," state news agency Xinhua said of the Wednesday evening blast, citing the regional Communist Party committee.