A suspected gas leak early Tuesday morning near a campus of Guizhou Medical University in southwest China led to the evacuation of thousands of students as a precaution, according to a Guizhou Daily report. Authorities have said the source of any leak is under investigation,

A strong, pungent gas odor filled the dormitory area of the campus in Guizhou province, with the university ordering students to leave their rooms. The school said it has opened an auditorium and library for students to stay in overnight.

An official from the university's security office said the smell was confirmed not to be from coal gas and that its origin appeared to be off campus, but declined to provide further details.

A Guizhou Gas employee told China Daily that the company, together with the fire department, housing and urban development authorities and the university, has been investigating the situation.

By 3 pm Tuesday, teams had determined the leak point was not on campus, though the exact cause remains under review.