SHENYANG, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Seven people were killed and one went missing during a flash explosion involving an inflatable boat in waters near Mopanshan Island in the city of Xingcheng in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Wednesday, the local government said on Thursday.
The explosion occurred at around 2:08 p.m. on Wednesday with 13 people on board. The five injured people have been taken to hospital for treatment, including two in severe condition.
Preliminary investigations showed that the people on the boat were residents who had traveled to collect conchs at low tide. On their return trip, a flash explosion occurred when the operator tried to restart the engine after a suspected fuel leak.
The specific cause of the explosion is under further investigation. ■
