An explosion killed 14 and injured five in a village in central China's Henan Province on Monday evening, according to local government sources today.

The blast took place at about 7:00 PM in Zhaolou Village in Baofeng County, causing the collapse of houses, said the sources.

Initial investigations found the tragedy to have been caused by explosives illegally stored by a farmer.

All the injured have been sent to hospitals and the site of the explosion has been cleared up.

The investigation is still underway.

(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2005)