The explosion was caused by “a leak of liquefied petroleum gas” when the restaurant was operational, state news agency Xinhua said. The restaurant has been destroyed. CCTV footage shows firefighters fighting the smoke coming out of the hole created by the explosion. The street, which also houses other dining and entertainment venues, was littered with rubble.
Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia Autonomous Region, has a population of about 2.3 million. The tragedy happened on the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, a three-day celebration for which many Chinese gather with family and friends.