HANOI, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- At least two people were killed and 12 others injured after an explosion at a gas shop caused two shops to collapse in Vietnam's southern hub of Ho Chi Minh City on Friday, local daily VnExpress reported.
The explosion occurred at around 10:30 a.m. at the 100-square-meter facility on Bui Van Ba Street. The business had been operating for more than a decade, according to the report.
The blast caused the shop to collapse, bringing down an adjacent watch repair shop, while damaging five other nearby houses.
The two fatalities were identified as a 37-year-old man and a 55-year-old man who worked at the gas shop. Three people suffering from facial burns, bleeding and multiple injuries were rushed to hospital, while several others with minor injuries escaped and received first aid at the scene.
A preliminary assessment suggested that a gas leak at the shop may have triggered the explosion. The exact cause remains under investigation. ■
