Health workers move bodies from the scene of an explosion that killed 15 people and injured eight at Laoshan village, Kaili city in Southwest China’s Guizhou province, on Jan 13, 2014. [Photo.icpress.cn]

KAILI, Guizhou - Eight suspects were detained as the death toll from a Southwest China village blast rose to 15, local police said Tuesday.

The explosion occurred at 2:40 pm Monday on a remote mountain slope at Laoshan village, Kaili city in Guizhou province, police said Monday.

The number of the injured has risen to eight, and all are in stable condition.

The casualties were people who had gathered at the site to gamble, said police after an initial investigation.

The detained suspects include three who surrendered themselves to police.

Police are still investigating the case. A working team from the Ministry of Public Security arrived at the scene early Tuesday.

Public security officers work at the scene of an explosion that killed 15 people and injured eight at Laoshan village, Kaili city in Southwest China’s Guizhou province, on Jan 13, 2014. [Photo.icpress.cn]