Buildings have collapsed after an explosion in Ningbo, China

DISTRESSING images have emerged after an explosion rocked Ningbo, in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, as fears for casualties rise.

HARROWING images are emerging in the aftermath of an explosion that devastated a Chinese port city south of Shanghai, causing buildings to collapse and resulting in a number of casualties.

The explosion struck the waterfront district of Ningbo in eastern China’s Zhejiang province early Sunday morning, about 8:55am, Chinese media has reported, shattering windows up to a kilometre from the blast site, which is reportedly a factory.

今天（11月26日）上午，宁波江北区李家西路一带突发爆炸，据现场目击者描述情况较为严重，有人员伤亡。 pic.twitter.com/vaO6eahQYo

— stillsteel.k (@stillsteel) November 26, 2017

#UPDATE Witnesses say huge tremor was felt in neighboring community when Ningbo explosion occurred; rescue work underway pic.twitter.com/ewMLE5SczI

— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) November 26, 2017

The cause of the explosion is currently unknown, as is the number of injuries or deaths, but images and videos being shared on Chinese social media and in local news media show streets littered with debris, bloodied bodies lying on the ground, cars with shattered windows, and bystanders rushing out of the area.

Fears for casualties are rising.

The South China Morning Post reports that multiple casualties have been reported by local police, as has the official Xinhua news agency.

The state-run China National Radio says on its website that a number of injured people have been taken to hospitals but has also given no details of how many or how severe their injuries are.

People’s Daily China is reporting at least 30 people have been taken to hospital.

#UPDATE: More than 30 people rushed to hospital after Ningbo explosion on Sunday morning. No residents lived at site of explosion, but there might be garbage collectors working inside at time of explosion pic.twitter.com/HnDf6nfS7F

— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) November 26, 2017

Large explosion rips through street in China's port city of Ningbo, causing casualties; large number of ambulances sent to the scene https://t.co/u3aA3vtCYm pic.twitter.com/zpUEkvKZ10

— BNO News (@BNONews) November 26, 2017

More to come.

— With AP