An explosion on Friday (January 7) in a local administration canteen in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality trapped at least 20 people, state media reported.
The tragedy occurred shortly after noon (0400 GMT) "
probably due to a gas leak
," said public television CCTV, according to which rescuers arrived at the scene.
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The first photos released by Chinese media on social networks show firefighters dressed in orange outfits, standing on sections of collapsed wall and helped by a crane.
Other videos show a thick cloud of gray smoke above a pile of rubble and civilians evacuating people.
An indefinite number of injured have been transported to hospitals, said CCTV, according to which some 260 people and 50 rescue vehicles are mobilized in the relief operations.