CHINA / SOCIETY
Update: 1died, 5 injured in explosion caused by gas leak in E China’s Jiangsu
Published: May 25, 2022 01:25 AM
Firefighters at the explosion site Photo: Weibo account of Fire and Rescue Department, Ministry of Emergency Management
Firefighters at the explosion site Photo: Weibo account of Fire and Rescue Department, Ministry of Emergency Management


The explosion caused by bottled gas leak in Changzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province, has left one dead, two severely injured and three others slightly injured, media reported on Wednesday. The incident occurred at about 8:45 pm on Tuesday, causing the collapse of a two-floor residential building. 

Five of the trapped persons in the building were rescued and sent to hospital on Tuesday evening, according to the Weibo account of Fire and Rescue Department, Ministry of Emergency Management.

The explosion damaged a number of nearby shops and scenes of the collapsed buildings have been circulating online.

A resident near the site of the explosion told the Beijing Youth Daily that she heard a loud bang. "At first, I thought my door had been smashed and I did not know there had been an explosion until I heard the fire alarm," she said.

Firemen, health and emergency rescue workers have come to the site, and rescue works are underway, the China Central Television reported, citing local government. About 20 shops on the street were affected by the explosion, a shop owner told media.

The staff of the salon and snack shop opposite to the restaurant said people were injured by the explosion and have been sent to hospital for treatment.

Some netizens from Changzhou left messages under the video post, saying that the street where the restaurant is located is usually crowded with people by the time of the explosion.