One person was killed and seven were injured by an explosion in a public toilet in Yulin, Shaanxi province, on Dec 31.

Following an investigation, the local government announced on Jan 2 that the blast had been caused by methane gas that had accumulated in the toilet over a long period of time.

The explosion caused the toilet to collapse, killing one occupant and leading to seven others being hospitalized.

Two of the injured have since been released from hospital. The other five are still being treated, but all are said to be in a stable condition.