A blast caused by “homemade” explosives injured four people and sparked a major security alert at the main international airport in China’s commercial hub of Shanghai yesterday, according to the operator and state media.
The blast at Pudong International Airport occurred near the check-in counter of Terminal Two in the middle of the afternoon, according to a statement on the official microblog of the Shanghai Airport Authority.
Xinhua news agency, citing authorities, said a “homemade explosive,” blew up and hurt four people including one who suffered from self-inflicted injuries.
Photo: Reuters
A man suspected of detonating the devices attempted suicide by cutting his own throat, but survived, police said, adding that the suspect was later hospitalized.
The other injured included a man from the Philippines, as well as a 67-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman — both believed to be Chinese, Xinhua said.
The agency earlier reported that the blast was caused by fireworks.
The Xinmin Evening News said there were two explosions within five seconds. They originated from two pieces of luggage placed about 15m apart, the local newspaper said.
Online video clips showed dense gray smoke rising to the ceiling of the cavernous terminal and paramilitary security forces rushing into the building immediately after the incident.
Photographs posted online by those claiming to be witnesses showed police keeping people back from the scene and abandoned luggage littering the floor.
The incident came as people returned home after the Dragon Boat Festival holiday and just days before Thursday’s opening of a Disney theme park in Shanghai.
There have been several cases in China of disgruntled people setting off explosions or starting fires in revenge for perceived wrongs.
In 2013, a man who uses a wheelchair from southern China detonated a homemade bomb at Beijing International Airport in a protest at alleged police brutality.
The man, Ji Zhongxing (冀中星), was later sentenced to six years in jail.
Last year, an unemployed man set off an explosion at a public park in Shandong Province, killing himself and another person, and wounding 24.
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