BEIJING—Two vehicles carrying explosives detonated in southwest China on Tuesday, killing at least seven people, seriously injuring 20 and causing several nearby buildings to collapse, local authorities said.
The death toll was confirmed to AFP by telephone, by a spokesman from the propaganda bureau in Fuquan city in Guizhou province, where the explosion took place.
A total of 225 people were taken to hospital, about 20 with serious injuries, according to a statement on the Guizhou province website.
Authorities and state media have not provided further details on the cause of the explosion, which occurred around midday (0400 GMT) at an auto repair workshop on a highway in Fuquan city.
The two vehicles were transporting 70 tons of explosives, state media reported.
The surrounding buildings were very badly damaged and an investigation is under way to determine the cause of the blast, Xinhua said.