An explosion hit a residential building in Liuzhou city in south China’s Guangxi province early on Thursday, the day after parcel bombs killed at least seven in the same city, state media said.
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State-run Xinhua news agency reported that 17 blasts – which injured more than 50 people – occurred in urban areas of Liucheng district on Wednesday, with the first detonating at around 3.50 p.m. (0750GMT).
Police said Wednesday they were treating the blasts as a “criminal case” but ruled out a “terrorist act”. The cause of the explosion remains unclear though no casualties have yet been reported.
Police already apprehended a suspect, identified only as a 33-year-old man named Wei, a native of Liucheng county, according to Xinhua.
Different locations including a shopping mall, a prison, a county government office, a supermarket and a centre for disease control are reported to be bombarded.
Police have arrested a suspect they believe sent out the bombs in the mail.
Pictures show the devastation caused by the bombs with large buildings in ruins, streets littered with debris and cars overturned amongst piles of rubble.
The local postal service has halted all deliveries until Saturday.
On microblog Sina Weibo, Liuzhou police warned the public to not accept items delivered by strangers or parcels received via unofficial channels.
Thursday also marks China’s national day, the start of a week-long holiday during which many government offices and businesses close.
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Lately, several dissatisfied Chinese citizens have blasted local government offices and public places to try to attract attention for their grievances.
