WUHAN, June 13 (Xinhua) -- A gas explosion in central China's Hubei Province on Sunday morning left 12 people dead and 138 others injured, local authorities said.

The blast occurred at around 6:40 a.m. at a two-story building in a residential community in Zhangwan District in the city of Shiyan, trapping a large number of people.

The building has 19 stores, including drugstores and eateries, on its first floor, while the second floor consists of activity rooms and has no dwellers, according to the press conference held by the city government.

So far, 913 households and businesses at the scene have been evacuated, said Wang Xiao, deputy mayor of the city.

According to Fu Zubin, deputy director of the city's emergency management bureau, Shiyan has mobilized more than 2,000 rescue personnel into the rescue.

Currently, the cause of the blast is under investigation. Search and rescue, as well as safety assessment for the surrounding buildings are also underway. Enditem

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