At least seven people were killed and 66 were injured, including children, in a blast on Thursday near a kindergarten in eastern China, reported CNN citing Chinese state media.

Two people died at the scene and five died at the hospital, Chinese Central Television reported. Nine are in serious condition, according to CCTV.

Many parents were picking up their children when the blast took place, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

No children or teachers are among the dead, the Fengxian government said on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform similar to Twitter. Classes were underway when the incident happened, the government said.

The blast occurred in front of the gate of the Chuangxin Kindergarten at about 4:50 p.m, the CNN reported citing Fengxian police.

"The police and related departments rushed to the scene as soon as it was reported and conducted rescue and investigation work on the site," police said on Weibo. "Currently, the investigation work is still underway."

Authorities have not said what caused the explosion. The Fengxian communication department did not answer a phone call from CNN.