At least 14 people were killed and 150 others were injured On Monday afternoon as a powerful explosion at a prefabricated house damaged nearby buildings in China. Rescue efforts continued at the night.

The explosion took place at 2 pm at Xinmin Township, Fugu County, in the province of Shaanxi, damaging dozens of buildings including the local hospital.

An initial police investigation indicated that the blast was caused by illegally stored explosives, authorities had detained the owner of the building and were searching for the tenant. The makeshift had been built inside a residential compound. But it remains unclear what caused the explosion yet.

Dozens of firefighters and rescuers are combing the rubble for more survivors. Pictures carried by state media showed rescuers digging through the rubble of low rise buildings, though searches for the incident on Chinese social media were blocked on Tuesday. There was a brief power cut during the night but the rescue continued, as rescuers are hopeful that there are still people alive under the rubble. Senior municipal officers have arrived at the scene to oversee the rescue efforts.

By 11pm, 113 injured people, including 11 who are in intensive care, were admitted to the hospital.

Last year, in the northern city of Tianjin, a series of powerful explosions killed 165 people.