Beijing , China ( CNN ) -- The death toll from an explosion at a factory in eastern China now stands at 10 people , state-run Xinhua news agency said , citing a casualty count from local government officials . At a news conference , officials in the city of Nanjing told reporters that more than 120 people had been hospitalized after a blast ripped through an abandoned plastics factory Wednesday morning . Fourteen of those hospitalized were critically injured , officials said . Workers were dismantling the factory when the explosion occurred . A statement from the state Administration of Work Safety said the explosion came when a motorist started a car engine and ignited leaking gas . The administration says the gas leak occurred after a propylene pipeline was damaged by heavy machinery used to dismantle factory buildings . The damaged pipeline that had been funneling propylene to the factory has been shut down , it said . According to Xinhua , the rescue headquarters says an excavator owned by Yangzhou Hongyuan Construction and Development Co. , Ltd. hit the pipeline . The news agency also reports that the excavator operator has been held by police for questioning .
NEW : The death toll rises in a factory explosion . NEW : More than 120 people are hospitalized , some are critically injured . NEW : Kansas City police are holding a suspect for investigation .