JINAN, July 21-- Three people were killed in an explosion at a park in east China's Shandong Province Monday night, local authorities said Tuesday.

The blast happened at 10:34 p.m. in Huxi Park in Shanxian County, a county government official told Xinhua.

Two people, including the man suspected of triggering the explosion, died on the spot. One of the 24 injured died after being sent to the hospital.

Three injured are still in critical condition.

The county government has sent more than 100 medical workers to treat the injured.

Police investigation suggests the suspect, 33-year-old unemployed villager Xie Xingtang, was single and has suffered from liver cirrhosis ascites for years. His condition had taken a turn for the worse prior to the incident.

The county government said they had allocated subsistence allowances to Xie and his family and provided policy support and donation to them since 2013 as they faced financial difficulties.