Five local residents were killed and nine people were seriously injured by a fierce explosion yesterday that rocked a supermarket in Xi’an, capital of Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. The blast, believed to be deliberate, occurred about 11:30 am in Tanshijie, the largest grocery supermarket in downtown Xi’an, which is only about 500 metres away from the Shaanxi provincial government site. Witnesses said the huge explosion resembled an earthquake. Three died at the site and the injured are receiving treatment in hospital, according to a local police source. After the incident, police blocked the site and used a special vehicle to sweep the supermarket for any possible explosive devices. Investigations are continuing. The cause of the tragedy is still unknown but it is not considered an accident, local police said. Tanshijie is frequented by tourists who want to get a better idea of how local residents live. No foreign tourists were in the market when the explosion occurred.
Related, also from People's Daily, June 20th...
The man suspected of bombing a McDonald's restaurant in Xi'an in a failed bid to extort money from the fast food chain has been detained by police. Xu Yonggang, 28, was arrested on Tuesday on a bus en route to Xi'an, where he is accused of detonating the bomb in the bathroom of a McDonald's in the center of the ancient imperial capital. He is being quizzed over the June 15 bombing of McDonald's in Xi'an, which caused serious damage to the property. Police said the bomb was a crudely made device that had been planted in the men's toilet of the Gulou branch of the fast food chain in the city. Police allege that Xu decided on the bombing after falling heavily into debt from playing the lottery for two years.
| I guess y'gotta play to win, but you don't always win... |
Xu sent threatening letters to four restaurants and supermarkets in the city on June 14, saying he would target them with explosives if they did not give him money, police claim. All the restaurants and supermarkets reported the demands to the police and did not pay any cash. Xu worked at a trading company in Xi'an. "My motivation was to arouse attention," he said in comments broadcast by the station. "I didn't think it would create such a large social impact." Xu said he would ask for leniency when his case goes to court.
| "I've considered your plea for leniency, and I am moved to accept it. Huang, only shoot him in the head once." |
According to local newspaper reports, Xu planted the bomb in an effort to extort 200,000 yuan ($24,400) from McDonald's to pay back debts incurred from playing the lottery.
| Sian seems to have an attraction for lovers of explosives... |
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