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The blast created a cloud of smoke that spewed onto the main road in the Xihu District in China. The blasts occurred at about 8.35am at the building in Hangzhou in Zhejiang province. Photographs and videos from the scene show passers-by screaming and fleeing from the area.

Twitter The blast rocked a busy restaurant

Among the injured, 12 were in critical condition. They have been sent to hospitals for treatment. Windows were blown out and the street was littered with debris. Nearby cars, taxis and buses were badly damaged in the blasts.

Twitter The explosion rocked a busy road in China

Twitter An investigation is underway to work out what caused the blast

One eyewitness said: “I was in a residential complex at that moment. The buildings within a 300 metre radius of the restaurant seemed to be shaking – like a bomb explosion.” More than 20 passengers in one bus suffered minor injuries. Twelve fire engines were sent to the scene of the explosions, according to a report.

World's most shocking sinkholes Thu, December 8, 2016 Here are the most shocking sinkholes from around the world. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 26 A handout image released 06 December 2016 by the San Antonio Fire Department showing submerged vehicles after reserve deputy Dora Linda (Solis) Nishihara was killed late 04 December when an underground pipe ruptured causing a sinkhole that collapsed a roadway swallowing two vehicles killing Nishihara and injuring a second driver who was rescued in San Antonio, Texas USA, 06 December 2016.