At least 19 people have been killed and 172 wounded after a tanker truck exploded in southeast China here on Sunday.

The tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas exploded at a highway exit in in Zhejiang province on Saturday afternoon. The blast sent flames and a cloud of smoke high into the sky, state-media pictures showed.

The cause of the accident is still unknown, investigation is underway, media said.

The government commission responsible for safety production called for the investigation be completed within a certain time, state media reported.

The report said the commission called for traffic police to step up law enforcement focusing on vehicles such as those carrying dangerous chemicals.