ZHANJIANG, Guangdong - Seven people died and 18 others were injured following Wednesday's fatal car explosion in Zhanjiang, a coastal city in south China's Guangdong province, the local government said Thursday.

A car carrying explosives blew up outside a home in the village of Litianshang in the city's Potou district at 1:50 p.m. Wednesday, said Liu Benquan, chief of the district's public security bureau.

The explosion killed five at the scene and two others died in the hospital on Thursday, he said.

Another 18 villagers were injured, including five who are now in intensive care.

The suspect, a 50-something man surnamed Chen, is among the critically injured and is in a coma, said Liu.

Before he passed out, Chen told police he had driven the car to the scene and deliberately set off the homemade explosives, Liu said.

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

Chen was allegedly seeking revenge following a dispute with the woman over who should take their kids, said Liu.

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

The explosion damaged several homes in the neighborhood, including Zhao Yawei's house, which is located 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."

Police are still investigating the case.