By Ginika Igboke
A powerful explosion ripped through a residential street in Xing’an County in China’s southern Guangxi region early Thursday, killing at least seven people and injuring more than 30, according to state media reports. Authorities have ruled out a gas leak but have not yet determined the cause of the blast.
Residents reported hearing two separate explosions, with some claiming the second blast caused additional casualties when people gathered outside after the first detonation.
One local resident said a friend and his mother were killed after stepping outside to investigate the initial explosion.
“The explosion was right across from my friend’s home. After the first blast, he and his mother went outside to check, and then the second explosion happened,” the resident said. “My friend was in his 30s. Only his wife and son survived because they stayed inside.”
Another resident living nearby described a similar sequence of events.
“My mother lives about a 10-minute walk away. She said the windows and walls shook so violently that she thought it was an earthquake,” the resident said. “Someone who ran over to see what had happened was killed.”
Several witnesses reported extensive damage across the area. Windows were shattered in buildings throughout the neighborhood, including near the Shuijie commercial district.
Videos shared on social media showed significant destruction, including collapsed balconies, damaged building facades, shattered windows, and debris scattered across the street. Some residents living as far as two kilometers away reported broken windows from the force of the blast.
State-run local media reported that the explosion may have originated at a hardware store. Nearby shops and residential buildings sustained severe damage, with some structures showing burn marks and extensive structural destruction. Authorities have relocated affected residents to nearby hotels as a precaution.
According to staff at Xing’an County Hospital, more than 30 injured individuals were admitted following the incident. Eight were reported to be seriously injured, although none were said to be in life-threatening condition. Among the injured was a two-year-old child. One patient who suffered a brain hemorrhage regained consciousness after arriving unconscious at the hospital.
Residents Question Official Casualty Figures
Some residents expressed skepticism about the official casualty count, claiming the actual number of victims may be significantly higher.
One resident alleged that dozens of people were injured and described severe injuries among survivors, including traumatic limb injuries. The resident also claimed that several well-known local figures were among those killed.
Authorities have not confirmed these claims.
Cause of Explosion Remains Unknown
The Xing’an County Public Security Bureau said in a public notice that natural gas and other similar causes have been ruled out. Officials stated that investigators are continuing to examine the cause of the explosion.
With no official explanation yet available, speculation has spread among residents and on social media. Various unverified theories have circulated, including claims of a deliberate attack, a dispute-related incident, or a secondary explosion involving a vehicle.
Authorities have not confirmed any of these reports and have urged the public to await the results of the official investigation.
Broader Concerns Over Public Safety
The explosion comes amid growing public discussion in China about incidents of violence and public safety. Some observers have linked such concerns to economic pressures and social tensions, although no evidence has been presented connecting those issues to the Xing’an explosion.
Officials have not indicated whether the incident was accidental or intentional. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the blast, and authorities have not released further details on a possible motive or cause.
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