A detonation at a laboratory in Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics left two dead and nine others injured on Sunday, said the university.

The incident took place at 3:52 p.m. local time at the School of Materials Science and Technology at the University in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province. 

All the injured were rushed to hospital but two died despite rescue efforts, said the university.

An investigation into the incident is underway,