A huge explosion in Xian's biggest food market killed five people and seriously injured nine others yesterday. It was the second blast to hit the city in the past two months.
A shopkeeper in the market said the blast was so violent it left his store's building shaking for a few seconds.
'I was in the back alley and didn't see the explosion. But I heard a very loud blast and the earth shook under my feet. It was like an earthquake,' she said.
'Broken glass and debris were scattered everywhere. Many people rushed to the market to see what had happened. A few minutes later, I heard the sound of police sirens and saw dead bodies and injured people being carried out.'
The shopkeeper said the injured people were rushed to the 4th People's Hospital.
A staff member at the hospital confirmed that they had received casualties from the blast.
'They are all on the operating table and the doctors are working hard to save them. Most of them suffered head wounds. Some are in serious condition,' the staff member said.