Death toll in China's port city blast rises to four

The death toll has risen to four in the massive explosion at China's port city Ningbo last week, according to a report in the state media.

Four people have died while over 30 others were injured in the blast at a demolished factory last Sunday which destroyed adjoining buildings and vehicles in Jiangbei district of Ningbo, authorities said.

The authorities had earlier put the death toll in the blast at two.

Two previously missing victims were confirmed dead after police carried out a thorough investigation at the site of the blast, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

The two victims have been identified as the father and the cousin of the man, surnamed Shan, who is suspected to have owned the explosives.
 

Disposal of illegally produced explosives caused the blast, the report said.

According to the police, the disposal of the illegally manufactured explosives began at the site on Saturday night and continued till Sunday.

Technicians from the local public security department said they believed errors during disposal operations caused the explosion, while authorities have ruled out the possibility of the explosion being "intentional".

Shan, who was previously wanted by the police on suspicion of illegally manufacturing and selling explosives, was detained from Hubei Province on Monday.

Shan has admitted that he told his family in Ningbo to dismantle and destroy the explosives to avoid being punished.

Residents affected by the blast have been relocated to two sites. Maintenance work has started in nearby residential communities. Affected residents are expected to receive subsidies, the Xinhua report said.