NANJING - Seven people have been handed over to judicial authorities for their roles in an explosion in East China on July 28 that left 22 dead and 120 hospitalized, local authorities said Tuesday.

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The explosion ripped through an abandoned plastics factory in Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu province, leaving buildings within 100 meters of the blast damaged. It also caused economic losses of 47.8 million yuan ($7.2 million).

The seven suspects transferred to judicial agencies included two contractors, an excavator driver, and four officials of the Qixia district where the abandoned Nanjing No 4 plastic plant was located, according to a statement from the Jiangsu Province Work Safety Committee.

Another 11 people, including government officials and managers of the plastics company, had been given disciplinary punishment, the statement noted.

The blast was caused by a gas leak after workers damaged an underground propylene pipeline while using excavators.

The government has blamed lax safety standards for the explosion.