HARBIN, April 22 -- Three people were killed and three others injured in a welding-induced explosion in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Tuesday afternoon.

The accident happened at around 5 p.m. in Changde Township of Anda City, when an electric welder was working on an iron bucket. The bucket exploded suddenly, with the welder among those killed, according to the local publicity department.

The injured have been rushed to a local hospital for treatment, and an investigation into the accident is under way.