Death toll rises to 25 in central China gas explosion

The death toll from a gas explosion in central China's Hubei Province has climbed to 25, local authorities said Monday evening.

A search and rescue mission to find survivors and clear debris is still underway, the information office of the provincial government of Hubei said at a press conference in Shiyan City, where the blast occurred on Sunday morning.

The accident, which left a large number of people trapped, occurred in a residential community in the city's Zhangwan District at around 06:30 on Sunday.

"Twelve victims were found during the day before, and six more were found between 18:30 Sunday and the early hours of Monday. Two more were found around 09:00 on Monday, and five more were found around 12:30. All of these people were found without vital signs. The death toll now stands at 25. At present, a search and rescue operation is still continuing," said Shi Zheng, head of the provincial emergency management department.

So far, 138 people injured in the accident are receiving treatment at the hospital, including 37 in serious condition.

As of 14:00 of Monday, a total of 35 trapped people had been found and rescued.

A team has been set up to investigate the blast, and Hubei will launch a province-wide blanket inspection to root out potential work safety hazards, said Shi.