A man-made device caused a blast in a bar in Qinzhou City of southern Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, killed two and wounded 34 others, local authorities said on Thursday.

The blast was at 2:20 a.m. Thursday on the first floor of Xinyese Bar in downtown Qinzhou, injuring 36 people. Two died after being rushed to the hospital, said Yang Haikong, Qinzhou standing vice mayor.

The other 34 victims, including 6 severely wounded, were being treated in No. 1 and No. 2 People's hospitals of Qinzhou, and their conditions were heading for stability, he said.

The blast was not an accident, said police, who have confirmed it was caused by a man-made device. A 100-strong team organized by the provincial public security and the city level agencies is investigating but police declined to give any further details.

The local government has started inspecting entertainment places in case of further incidents.

(Xinhua News Agency, March 13, 2008)