‍At least eight people were killed and 66 others injured in an explosion near a kindergarten in Fengxian County, east China's Jiangsu Province on Thursday afternoon, local authorities said.

The blast occurred at around 4:48 p.m. BJT just outside the entrance gate of the nursery, as many parents were waiting to pick up their children.

Two people died at the scene, and another six passed away later in the hospital, according to the county government. 

No children or teachers from the kindergarten were among the casualties.

Police said a preliminary investigation shows the explosion was a deliberate act, and a suspect has been identified.

"We were chatting and waiting to pick up our kids there," one of the victims told CGTN. "The school just ended, we were talking and suddenly I heard the blast. I had no idea what happened. We were scared," said one eyewitness.

"When I turned around, people were already lying on the ground," she added. 

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7 dead, 66 injured in kindergarten explosion in eastern China