China residential blast toll rises to 14

At least 14 people have been killed and 147 injured in a powerful explosion in a residential complex in northern China

The death toll from a powerful explosion that destroyed buildings in the Chinese city of Yulin has risen to at least 14, with 147 people injured, according to latest official figures.

Monday's explosion occurred in several prefabricated houses in the northern Shaanxi province.

Around 58 buildings in the neighbourhood were also damaged or reduced to rubble, in addition to 63 cars, official news agency Xinhua reported.

So far, 106 people remain in hospital while 41 have been discharged.

Amid power outages, a rescue team comprising dozens of firefighters and other emergency workers combed through the rubble overnight to find survivors.

Preliminary investigations indicate the incident may have been caused by explosives stored in the prefabricated houses, constructed inside a larger residential compound.

The police have arrested the owner of the houses that were rented out in September.