BEIJING -- A 21-year-old man in northern China has been arrested after allegedly murdering nine of his relatives who had gathered to celebrate the Lunar New Year, state press reported Friday.

A five-year-old child was among the victims of the killing spree on Tuesday, the final day of the week-long New Year national holiday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The killings were believed to have followed a family dispute, Xinhua said in a brief report that gave few other details, such as how the people were murdered.

Police arrested the man on Wednesday not far from the where the murders took place in Baoding city, Hebei province, according to Xinhua.

The Lunar New Year is the most important holiday in China and a time when families traditionally reunite.