Deadly Explosion in China

A huge suspected gas explosion at a restaurant killed one person and injured 22 more in northern China's Hebei province during, state media reported, causing severe damage to buildings.

China has seen a spate of deadly accidents in recent months, often caused by official negligence -- prompting calls from President Xi Jinping for "deep reflection" and greater efforts to stop them.

Blast took place in a residential area in the city of Sanhe, less than 50 kilometers east of the capital Beijing.

One person died and 22 were injured, the broadcaster said, adding the explosion was suspected to have been caused by a gas leak at a fried chicken shop.

And from a police cordon on the north side of the blast zone, they could see a plume of gray smoke a few hundred meters away, with what appeared to be a crane positioned near it.

Footage online circulated by state media showed a huge explosion that sent plumes of smoke and fire across a busy road.

Rescue workers rushed to the scene, with the local Langfang fire department saying 36 emergency vehicles and 154 personnel had been dispatched.

"The fire is currently under effective control, and rescue work is being carried out urgently," the Langfang fire department said.

A merchant working at a nearby store told state-run Jimu News she had been in her shop when she heard a "bang".

Explosions and other deadly accidents are common in China due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement.

Last month, at least 15 people were killed and 44 injured in a fire at a residential building in the eastern city of Nanjing.

Also in January, dozens died after a fire broke out at a store in the central city of Xinyu.