Seven killed in powerful blast in China

BEIJING: A powerful explosion ripped through a building in a northern Chinese city on Monday, killing seven people and injuring scores more, officials said.

Media reports said the blast in the city of Yulin, in Shaanxi province, may have been caused by explosives illegally stored in the building. Pictures of the scene showed widespread damage, with windows blown out of buildings, smoke engulfing the streets and local residents in tears.