KUNMING, Sept. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- The death toll of an unknown blast in Mile County of southwest China's Yunnan Province rose to 12, according to local sources.

    The blast occurred at 9:20 p.m. Monday. A preliminary investigation by the police shows that the "funnel" shaped explosion spot is 18.5 meters in diameter and 5.6 meters in depth.

    Besides the massive casualties, 66 houses were damaged, with 17 of them totally tumbled. More than 320 villagers were left homeless.

    The county government has sent a group of investigators and rescuers to the blast site. All the 320 villagers were allocated houses, quilts , and other living necessities.

    Probe into the cause of the blast is under way. Enditem

Eleven people were killed, 43 others injured and another two missing in a blast occurred at 9:20 p.m. Monday in Mile county of Honghe Hani-Ni ethnic autonomous prefecture of southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to local sources.(Photo: Xinhua)

(Photo: Xinhua)

(Photo: Xinhua)

(Photo: Xinhua)