Police have detained the boss of a company for illegally storing explosives that triggered a deadly blast Sunday in east China's Anhui Province, an official said.

Soundbite: Wang Tuqiang, vice mayor of Chuzhou City, Anhui Province The explosives blew up at 3:17 a.m. Sunday in Jingxin Mining Co. Ltd, killing 16 people and injuring 43 others, including three seriously. The preliminary investigation showed that the explosives were illegally purchased and stored.

Cao Peijun, boss of the Jingxin Mining Co. Ltd. in Fengyang County of Chuzhou City, was found illegally stocked an estimated 5 to 7 tonnes of explosives in an office building in the factory compound, according to Wang.

The blast razed the two-storey building and ripped through nearby workers' dormitories, dining halls and workshops.

Most of the victims were workers. They were struck by rubble as they slept. Many of the injured were residents who were hit by broken glass or debris.

Police were still trying to verify the power of the blast and the amount of explosives.