NANJING - Two people died and 12 were injured following a gas explosion in a restaurant in eastern China's Jiangsu Province Thursday morning, police said.

The accident occurred in Huaian city around 9:30 am, the city's public security bureau said in a statement.

An initial investigation suggested a gas tank exploded in the restaurant located in Qingjiangpu district, causing damage, it said.

Rescuers retrieved 14 people from the rubble, but two later died despite emergency treatment. The 12 survivors are still in hospital.