Gas explosion leaves 12 dead, 138 hurt

Images and video footage circulating on social media platform Weibo show houses that were flattened with debris scattered around due in the vicinity.

When the explosion happened, some stores in the market were already open and several people were buying groceries, a witness said.

A woman owner of a store which is less than 100 meters from the explosion told Beijing Youth Daily that people usually sell breakfast shortly after 6 am in the two-story building.

Another witness said he was on his way to the building to have breakfast when he heard the explosion more than 200 meters away. He saw bricks and glass flying out from the building and the ground was shaking.

A fourth person said his home was more than 100 meters away from the explosion and luckily his home escaped the damage.

An injured person said he felt like a wave hit him in the back and hurled him forward for three meters, injuring his head and hands.

A nearby store owner said residents and store owners in the surrounding areas have been moved to a temporary settlement converted from a stadium.