LOC20:05
17:05 GMT
TOKYO, Oct 25 (KUNA) -- Fourteen people were confirmed dead and 147 were injured following a powerful explosion at the site of prefabricated houses in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Tuesday.
The explosion hit five prefabricated houses around on Monday afternoon, damaging nearby buildings, according to the report.
Among the injured, 106 remain hospitalized and 41 have returned home following treatment, authorities in charge of rescue work said.
An initial investigation indicated that the explosion could be caused by explosives.
The makeshift houses had been built inside a residential compound.
The prefab houses, owned by a local villager, were rented out in September. The owner of the houses is in police custody and an investigation is under way, while all people in the affected area were evacuated. (end)
mk.bs