Seven persons were killed and more than 200 others injured as two vehicles, loaded with powerful explosives, detonated in southwest China today.

Reports said several buildings were also totally destroyed in the powerful explosions that occurred near a gas station in Guizhou Province.

Officials said 200 people were rushed to hospitals and the condition of 20 persons is said to be critical.

The explosions took place around 9 am IST when two trucks, loaded with about 70 metric tonnes of explosives, were parked near a vehicle testing station in the city of Fuquan, 100 km off Guizhou’s capital of Guiyang.

Several buildings including a five-story residential complex and a grain warehouse were severely damaged in the incident. Authorities have launched an investigation to find out the reasons for the explosions.