2 dead, 26 injured in Hebei gas explosion

(ECNS) -- Two people were killed and 26 others injured following an explosion that occurred at 7:54 a.m. on Wednesday at a fried chicken restaurant situated in Yanjiao town of Sanhe city, an area under the administration of Langfang, Hebei province, according to the city's emergency management bureau.

The bureau suspects the explosion was triggered by a gas leak at the restaurant.

As of 1 p.m., 14 injured individuals have been hospitalized, Among them, two were severely injured, mainly with head trauma and pneumothorax, but they are currently not in life-threatening condition. The remaining 12 individuals suffer minor injuries, mainly with soft tissue damage and fractures.

Those with minor injuries have been discharged after emergency treatment.

A working group has been dispatched by the Department of Emergency Management of Hebei Province to oversee the rescue and disposal work.