The picture taken on Jan. 20, 2005 shows the site of an explosion in Urumqi, capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Two people were killed and eleven others injured in the explosion which occurred at around 4:10 p.m. (Xinhua Photo)

    URUMQI, Jan. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- At least two people were killed and ten others injured in an explosion which occurred at around 4:10 p.m. Thursday in this capital city downtown of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

    The blast left a 9 sq. meter hole on the ground and a piercing smell of natural gas, said Huang Gongyi, secretary-general of Urumqi City Government who was coordinating rescue efforts at site with other senior officials from the city and regional governments.

    Most of the casualties were pedestrians and the injured have been hospitalized.

    Cause of the explosion was under investigation. Enditem