Truck explosion kills 8 in SW China

Eight people were killed and six other injured after a truck carrying flammable chemicals exploded in a parking lot Tuesday afternoon in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local authorities said.

The blast occurred at around 6:30 p.m. in the Litang Township of Binyang County when workers were unloading the truck which carried flammable chemicals including potassium chlorate and carbon powder, said a spokesman with the county government's information office.

A preliminary investigation showed that workers' carelessness may have triggered the explosion, said the spokesman.

The fire from the blast engulfed over 20 cars at the carpark, which used to be a gas station, said the spokesman.

Two people were severely wounded and four suffered slight injuries, he said.

The fire has been put out and further investigation is underway.