Another explosion in Liuzhou, Guangxi province, China, early Thursday occurred in a six-story residential building, hours after a suspect was arrested in connection to a series of explosions that killed at least seven people and wounded more than 50. Image courtesy of Google Maps
HONG KONG, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- The Chinese city hit by a series of bomb explosions on Wednesday was struck by another blast on Thursday, hours after authorities apprehended a suspect in the attacks that have killed at least seven people and wounded more than 50.
The explosion in Liuzhou on Thursday occurred in a six-story residential building but state news agency Xinhua did not report casualties. Footage of the blast site showed residents running away from the damaged building, NBC News reported.
Hours before on Wednesday, local police had arrested a suspect, identified as 33-year-old M. Wei, Voice of America reported. Wei has been linked to the series of deadly explosions that rocked 13 sites in Liuzhou, Guangxi province, including a prison, a government office, a supermarket, a hospital and a local center for disease control.
Xinhua reported local police have ruled out terrorism, and the bombings have been classified as a criminal case.
Zhang Qi, a supermarket manager, told China National Radio that she received a phone call from a township government official to beware of any suspicious packages. Zhang said she quickly discovered an unclaimed package that was ticking and promptly told staff and shoppers to evacuate. "Ten minutes later, it went off," she said.
The local postal service has suspended all parcel deliveries until Saturday, and police are concerned more bombs could be in the mail.
NBC reported angry or mentally unstable individuals in China have placed bombs in public places in the past, and that explosives are easily accessed, due to the country's pervasive mining industry.
