HEFEI, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- At least 17 people have been confirmed dead after an explosion ripped through a restaurant in east China's Anhui Province around noon on Saturday, local authorities said.

The blast occurred at 11:57 a.m. and caused a fire at a private restaurant in Jinghu District of Wuhu City, the city government said.

An initial investigation showed that the blast was caused by a gas cylinder.

Further investigation is still underway.