Deadly blast rips through Yulin in China’s Shaanxi province

RESCUERS are hunting for survivors who may be trapped in the rubble after a powerful explosion tore through a building in Yulin, China, killing 10 and injuring 150.

The aftermath of the Yulin explosion. Picture: Supplied

A POWERFUL explosion ripped through a building in a northern Chinese city, killing 10 people and injuring more than 150.

Media reports said the blast in Yulin, which destroyed or damaged nearby buildings including a hospital, may have been caused by explosives illegally stored in the building.

The official Xinhua news agency said dozens of firefighters were sent to the scene in Shaanxi province, and rescuers were hunting for survivors who may be trapped in the rubble.

Pictures showed widespread damage, with windows blown out of buildings, dense grey smoke engulfing the streets and bloodied people, some lying on the ground.

The explosion occurred at around 2:00pm local time (5:00pm AEDT) the city hall said. Xinhua, citing local authorities, said 10 people had died and 157 were injured during the incident, adding that by 11:00pm local time (2:00am AEDT) 113 people had been admitted to hospital.

Industrial accidents are common in China, where safely regulations are often flouted.