Police investigating an explosion at a kindergarten in eastern China that killed eight people and injured dozens more say they are treating the incident as
FENGXIAN, CHINA – Police investigating an explosion at a kindergarten in eastern China that killed eight people and injured dozens more say they are treating the incident as a crime and have identified at least one suspect.
It was unclear if the suspect had been apprehended, and no potential motive was provided.
The blast left victims bleeding and weeping, with images posted on state media showing some had their clothes torn off by the force of the explosion, while one woman clutched a screaming child.
The Fengxian County government in eastern Jiangsu province said Thursday’s incident was being treated as a “criminal” act, while witnesses told local media the blast may have been caused by a food stall’s gas cylinder.
A survivor told broadcaster CCTV from her hospital bed that the school’s gate had just opened for kids to leave, though none had come out when the fireball erupted.
The woman, who held a baby during the interview as she sat on her bed, said she blacked out and only woke up while being treated.
The Fengxian government said class had not yet been dismissed and that no teachers or students were among the casualties.
At least eight people were killed and 65 injured, including eight seriously, according to authorities. Two died at the site of the explosion and six while being treated.
Pictures of the scene showed more than a dozen people outside a building, many lying on the ground and some appearing to be unconscious, including a small child.
