A gas explosion has claimed the lives of five people at a high-rise in downtown Xiamen, Fujian Province, reports the SCMP.

The explosion took place this morning at around 11:20 in a small eatery located on the first floor of the Guotai Tower.

The blast shook nearby buildings and covered roads in glass and debris. Four other stores are said to be destroyed as a result of the blast.

Ten victims are listed in serious condition, with around a dozen other people described as also being injured.

The cause of the explosion was first suspected to be a faulty gas line, but now confirmed by firefighters to have been from a gas tank. Some nine other gas tanks have been removed from the scene. Photos: Sina Guangdong, Yangtse Evening Report, China News Network