Gas line explodes in China; 12 dead, more than hundred injured, many still trapped in blast site  

BEIJING: At least 12 people were killed and more than 100 were seriously injured in a huge gas explosion in central China's Hubei Province on Sunday, official media reported.

The blast took place at about 6:30 am local time in the Zhangwan district of Shiyan city. Media reports said a market in the district was hard hit.

Twelve people were killed and 100 others injured in the explosion which has destroyed several buildings, state-run CGTN-TV reported.

Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported that the explosion took place at the Yanhu market in Shiyan when many residents were having breakfast or buying vegetables in the market.

The city's municipal office initially said "many" people were trapped after the incident.

Images and video footages circulating on social media platform Weibo showed rescue workers working through the wreckage of flattened houses.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.