Pictured: Moment man sets off bomb at Beijing airport
Wheelchair user with pent-up frustration injures no one else but himself
A petitioner in a wheelchair set off a home-made bomb near the international arrivals gate at Beijing Capital International Airport yesterday evening, raising security concerns at one of the world's busiest airports.
The petitioner, identified as Ji Zhongxing, of Heze city, Shandong, did not have life-threatening injuries and was sent to hospital, Xinhua said. Other local media reported that he had his left arm amputated after being rushed to a Beijing hospital.
State media said no other casualties were reported and no flights were affected by the blast in the airport's iconic Terminal 3, but some online news portals have said one policeman suffered light injuries.
The Xinhua report said Ji, 34, was trying to distribute leaflets "to draw attention to his complaints". He set off the explosive near exit B of the arrival hall at 6.25pm when security guards approached him.
The Beijing News newspaper on Sunday quoted several witnesses as saying Ji repeatedl yelled "I have a bomb, stay away from me" before the bomb went off, when several security staff were seen rushing towards him.
A police officer at the scene told the Sunday Morning Post last night that Ji used black explosive powder similar to that used in fireworks. Ji suffered injuries to his arm, he said.