A series of "massive" explosions on Wednesday killed at least seven people in the Liucheng county in China, state media outlets reported. At least 50 were injured and two are still missing.
Video: 15 suspected parcel bombs hit S China's #Liucheng , death toll rises to 6
A police chief told CCTV News that parcels containing explosives caused the blasts in 17 different locations, including shopping malls, a government building, a bus station, a hospital, and a prison.
Update: 6 killed, dozens injured in parcel blasts in Liucheng county, #Guangxi. More reported at nearby Liuzhou city
“I heard boom! I thought it was a small earthquake,” a government worker, who would only give her surname, Luo, told The New York Times. “I did not pay much attention since we had earthquakes like this before.” Locals have reported 60 suspicious parcels to the police, according to People's Daily.
China's official news agency, Xinhua News, reported that a 33-year-old man surnamed Wei, a Liucheng county native, has been identified as a suspect. The suspect paid couriers to deliver the parcels, according to People's Daily. The state-run paper also reported that local police has ruled out terrorism. The county's Work Safety Bureau has urged residents not to open any parcel, according to local newspaper Nanguo Morning News.
The series of explosions happened one day ahead of China's National Day – a celebration of the 66th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.