Three people were killed and seven others seriously injured as police in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were destroying explosives Friday, the region's work safety supervision bureau said Saturday.

The tragedy happened in Chao'er of Hulunbeier City. Among the killed were deputy chief of the Chao'er public security bureau, a fire police officer and a driver from Chao'er forestry bureau, the work safety bureau said.

The injured were all staff members from the forestry bureau. The accident is under further probe.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2009)