A suspected gas leak caused a deadly blast, leaving 16 dead and 10 others injured in southwestern China.

A powerful explosion occurred in an office canteen in Chongqing, southwest China, during lunchtime on Friday, resulting in at least 16 deaths and 10 injuries. Authorities suspect a gas leak as the cause of the blast. The explosion caused the canteen to collapse, trapping several victims under debris. Rescue teams worked through the night, and by midnight, they had recovered all the bodies from the wreckage.

The Ministry of Emergency Management deployed over 600 personnel to assist with the search and rescue operation. As of now, one survivor remains in critical condition. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, but the cause of the gas leak remains under examination.