Beijing, Jul 26(DC): Chinese police took away a woman who sprayed herself with gasoline on Thursday in what was suspected to be a self-immolation attempt outside the US Embassy, the state-run Global Times reported, amid reports of an explosion.
A US Embassy spokesperson, "There was an explosion at approximately 1 pm on Thursday in the public space off the South East corner of the Embassy compound. According to the Embassy’s Regional Security Officer, there was one individual who detonated a bomb," Global Times further reported.
Other than the bomber, there were no injuries. the local police responded.
Global Times said in a Tweet, "The police temporarily cordoned off US embassy in Beijing. Local residents heard a "thunder-like bang" at around 1:30 pm near the embassy."
A Reuters witness saw Chinese police examining a vehicle outside the embassy and social media showed pictures of smoke after an apparent explosion.
Another witness said there were seven to eight police vehicles near the embassy and the road next to the complex had been closed off.
However, photos posted on Twitter showed a large amount of smoke and what appeared to be police vehicles surrounding the vast structure in northeastern Beijing on Thursday afternoon.
China and the US are in the middle of a trade dispute, but America remains a hugely popular destination for travel, education and immigration for Chinese.
Further details are awaited.