China apartment blast damages 83 homes, 259 people relocated

Photo taken on March 25, 2017 shows the scene at the accident site in Tumd Right Banner of Baotou City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. A total of 83 homes were damaged in a powerful explosion that ripped through an apartment building in north China, killing three and injuring another 25, local government said. The government said the cause is still being investigated. Earlier reports indicated that it might have been caused by a natural gas leak. (Xinhua/Lian Zhen)

A total of 83 homes were damaged in a powerful explosion that ripped through an apartment building in north China, killing three and injuring another 25, local government said.

In a late night update, the government of Tumd Right Banner, Baotou city in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region said it has resettled 259 people after the blast.

The injured are in stable condition while teams of power, water, fire control, work safety, environment are working to ensure the explosion does not lead to secondary disasters, officials said.

The blast occurred at early Saturday afternoon. It was so powerful that one of the three connecting blocks of the apartment was almost gone. Window panes of many nearby buildings were also shattered, Xinhua reporters saw.

The government said the cause is still being investigated. Earlier reports indicated that it might have been caused by a natural gas leak.