Police in Zhanjiang in the western part of Guangdong province have cleared up a blast that killed seven persons and injured 18 others.

A 55-year-old suspect surnamed Chen has been held, according to Liu Benquan, chief of Potou district bureau of the Zhanjiang city department of public security.

The deadly explosion occurred in Litianshang, in Potou district's Guandu township on Feb 13 when a car packed with explosives was ignited near a banquet.

Liu said five people were killed at the scene while another two who were seriously wounded died in hospital the next day.

"The suspect Chen was among the critically injured and had been in a coma," Liu told local media.

The explosion occurred outside the home of the Zhao family, whose eldest daughter had divorced Chen, he said.

Chen was allegedly seeking revenge following a dispute over who should take their children, said Liu.

Chen's ex-wife Zhao Yaling married a rich local person after she divorced Chen, Liu added.

Most of the victims were relatives of the Zhao family who were visiting for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Liu said the explosives were self-made and equaled the explosive power of 20 kilograms of TNT.

The explosion damaged several homes in the neighborhood, including Zhao Yawei's house, which was at least 50 meters away.

"I was working in the fields when I heard a bang and saw dark smoke in the sky," said Zhao. "When I ran home, I saw our window panes were broken and my son's feet were bleeding -- he was hurt by broken glass," Zhao said.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn