An explosion in northern China’s Shanxi province on Saturday evening killed at least nine and injured six, state news agency Xinhua reported.

The blast occurred in a residential building and was believed to have been caused by illegally stored explosives, Xinhua said. An investigation was under way.

A number of buildings collapsed and search and rescue work continued on Sunday afternoon, said state broadcaster CCTV.

Miserable record

China has a poor record of industrial explosive accidents in residential areas.

In October, 14 people were killed in neighbouring Shaanxi province when a blast caused by illegally stored explosives destroyed a block of prefabricated houses.

A province-wide investigation into explosive production and storage was launched following the incident.

Both Shanxi and Shaanxi have large coal mining industries, where explosives are regularly used.