Society

Death toll from Beijing explosion rises to six

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-12 06:59

BEIJING - The death toll from a residential building blast has risen to six, with one person injured as of 11:00 pm Monday after rescuers pulled more bodies out from debris in downtown Beijing, local authorities said.

Firefighters extinguish a fire caused by a residential building blast in Beijing, April 11, 2011. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Preliminary investigations suggest that fuel gas exploded, causing part of the two-floor apartment building to collapse, said a spokesman with the municipal government's information office.

The accident occurred at 8:27 am at the 5th Entrance of the No 3 apartment building in the 12th neighborhood of Heping East Street, Chaoyang District.

It's unknown how many people were inside the building when the explosion occurred, but according to fire fighters, the collapsed part of the structure contained six apartments.

Rescuers also evacuated nearby buildings and a school. Further investigation was underway, said the spokesman.