Nine people have been detained by Ningxia authorities on Thursday after a gas explosion at a barbecue restaurant in the region killed at least 31 people and injured another seven on the eve of a three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday.

The nine, including the restaurant's owner, shareholders and staff members, also had their assets frozen by public security authorities, according to Xinhua.

The deadly incident happened at around 8.40 pm at a restaurant on a busy street in Yinchuan, the capital of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

Dozens of emergency personnel were deployed to the scene, as smoke billowed from the restaurant. The Ministry of Emergency Management said search and rescue work at the restaurant was completed by early Thursday morning.

According to the Yinchuan government's official WeChat account, the explosion happened as the chef was replacing a valve on the gas tank, about an hour after employees reported smelling a leak.

Mainland digital outlet The Paper said the blast left many unconscious, adding that high school students and retirees were among those who died.

Seven others who were injured had been sent to the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University for treatment.

President Xi Jinping, meanwhile, has called for "all-out efforts" to treat the injured and enhance safety supervision and management.

He also urged authorities to ascertain the cause of the accident and penalise those responsible.
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Last updated: 2023-06-22 HKT 15:56