By Cao Li (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-11-26 09:29

SHANGHAI: Preliminary investigations showed improper maintenance work had caused a Shanghai gas station explosion on Saturday, which saw four killed and 40 injured.

A team of officials from related government agencies is investigating the blast at the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) outlet in Pudong District, reported the Xinmin Evening News Sunday.

The station had earlier been suspended on October 11 for safety concerns and was scheduled for reopening Sunday.

CNPC did not respond to media queries on the explosion.

Most of those injured from the incident have been discharged from hospital.

Two of the 29 blast victims sent to Punan Hospital died while 26 were discharged Sunday morning.

A 49-year-old woman who was hit on the head by a piece of blast debris is still under observation at the hospital.

She was said to have been in her apartment close to the station when the explosion shattered her window.

The 13 other injured who were sent for treatment at the Pudong branch of Renji Hospital have been discharged.

The explosion on Saturday occurred at 7:50 am in the junction of South Yanggao and Pusan roads.

Two maintenance workers on the site were killed instantly. Witnesses said one of the workers was blown five stories high before landing nearby.

A woman who was cycling 1 km away from the station was hit by a piece of blast debris and died in hospital.

A motorcyclist, later identified as Wang Dong from Anhui Province, also died after debris hit him on the head.

He had taken off his helmet to answer a call on his mobile phone.

The Shanghai Evening News said Sunday that visits to several gas stations in the area found unsafe practices.

Drivers lining up for gas smoked and used mobile phones without being stopped by station employees.

The blast also damaged a bus that had stopped near the station and injured passengers on board. A convenience store, motel and several other nearby buildings were also hit.

Traffic disrupted by the explosion resumed Sunday.