CHINA: Beijing airport returns to normal after a man in a wheelchair detonates a home-made explosive

Record ID: 359513

  • Title: CHINA: Beijing airport returns to normal after a man in a wheelchair detonates a home-made explosive
  • Date: 20th July 2013
  • Summary: BEIJING, CHINA (JULY 20, 2013) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF BEIJING AIRPORT TERMINAL 3 AT NIGHT CARS PARKING OUTSIDE THE TERMINAL POLICEMEN STANDING IN FRONT OF CARS PASSENGERS WALKING WITH A TROLLEY VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAITING AT THE ARRIVALS (SOUNDBITE) (English) ITALIAN PASSENGER TIMOTEO SAYING: "Ok, I wasn't there at all times but I was just upstairs at departures and my mothe
  • Embargoed: 4th August 2013 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: China
  • Country: China
  • Topics: Crime,General
  • Reuters ID: LVA4TW4EWHJHHKXIZWWMNHGZKN04
  • Story Text: Beijing airport returned to normal after a man in a wheelchair detonated a home-made explosive on Saturday evening (July 20).
    The 34-year-old man injured himself and the explosive sent smoke billowing through the exit area of the international arrivals section of Terminal 3.
    There were no other injuries and operations were normal after the blast, the airport said on its microblog, while official news agency Xinhua said the man detonated a loud explosive device, but gave no details.
    China's official Xinhua news agency said the suspect, Ji Zhongxing from the eastern province of Shandong, had detonated the loud device after being prevented from handing out leaflets that drew attention to unspecified complaints.
    State broadcaster CCTV said the explosion took place just meters outside the international arrivals exit where passengers depart after picking up their luggage.
    A passenger who had been waiting in the departures lounge at the time of the explosion explained his experience of the incident.
    "Ok, I wasn't there at all times but I was just upstairs at departures and my mother called me and said that something strange happened at Beijing International Airport. And then she asked me if I know more, and just seeing on the television, and they say that a big explosion happened in the airport, in Beijing Terminal 3. And first of all I was really a bit scared and then a little bit curious and then I came here just to understand something" said Italian, Timoteo.
    Some people believe the Chinese government should do more to avoid this kind of tragedy.
    "I think this government should care more about people's emotions and care more about the people. They should think about how to resolve people's issues as much as possible after realising that they exist.", said 35-year-old passenger Liu Hongwei.
    Explosives are relatively easy to obtain in China, home to the world's largest mining and fireworks industries.
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