Gas pipeline blast in southwestern China kills eight

A gas pipeline explosion in southwestern China has killed at least eight people.

The blaze in Qinglong county Source: New China TV

At least eight people have been killed and 35 injured in a gas pipeline explosion in the southwestern Chinese province of Guizhou, the Xinhua news agency says.

The accident occurred on Sunday morning in the city of Shazi, after the pipeline was damaged by a landslide caused by heavy rains.

Those injured, including four in serious condition, were brought to hospital, while a fire triggered by the explosion has been extinguished, the report stated.

People living in the area were evacuated.