Police on Wednesday rescued 54 children who were being held at an illegal missionary spot in Xinjiang, according to Tianshannet, a news website run by the regional government's information office.

A police station in Hotan, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, received a report on Wednesday from parents who said their children and others were being held at a missionary spot in the city.

The police rushed to the scene to rescue the children. During that attempt, a suspect in the case set off an explosive device, starting a fire.

Fifty-four children were rescued, 12 of whom were burnt and sent to a hospital.

Three suspects in the case were also detained, two of whom were injured. Three policemen were also injured.

In an initial investigation, local police determined the missionary was operating illegally.

The case is being investigated further.