Two people in Yunnan province were sentenced to death on Wednesday for causing a deadly explosion, according to Zhaotong intermediate people's court.

On May 8, 2012, the two defendants, Deng Deyong and Song Chaoyu, blew up a demolition office in Qiaojia county, causing four deaths and injuring 16 people, said the intermediate people's court in the province's Zhaotong city.

Deng blew up the office because he did not qualify for compensation for demolition of his home, the court said. It added that Deng made the explosives at home and told Song of his plan, and the two carried it out.

Another defendant, Chen Hezhi, who sold detonators to Deng, was sentenced to eight years at the same time, the court said.

The three defendants said during the trial they would appeal to a higher court.

Contact the writer at caoyin@chinadaily.com.cm