Explosive Device Set Off Near US Embassy in China, 'Slightly' Wounding Suspect

On Thursday, photos and videos from a place near the US Embassy in Beijing appeared on social networks; smoke and police units can be seen on the photos. The police said that the source of the smoke was an explosion caused by fireworks.

The US embassy in Beijing confirmed that an explosive device has detonated near the building.

An explosion in Beijing was caused by a man who lit up what could be a "fireworks" device and sustained a light injury, while there were no other victims, the police said Thursday.

Journalists taking photos of sth resembling blood stains in front of the US Embassy in Beijing after the explosion that took place at 5:00 GMT today #Beijingblast #USEmbassyBeijing pic.twitter.com/YIPiS1ChYH

— Sputnik Insight (@Sputnik_Insight) July 26, 2018

​"At around 13:00 local time [5:00 GMT] on July 26, a man lit up a suspected "fireworks" device at the crossing between Tianze Road and Anjialou Road and caused an explosion. The explosion only injured his hand, which is not a life threatening injury," the police said in a statement on Weibo social network.

The suspect was quickly hospitalized.

"No one else was injured at the scene… Further investigation is under way," the police said.

BREAKING: Large EXPLOSION at 'US embassy' in Beijing – police scramble to scene
Unconfirmed- pic.twitter.com/voUnd1bdmM

— Nik Da-Koolchan (@DaKoolchanN) July 26, 2018

​Police cars surround the area in the north-eastern part of Beijing.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the explosion next to the US embassy in Beijing was an 'isolated incident,' adding that the police are handling it.

Beijing police on Thursday detained a woman over a suspected self-immolation attempt next to the US embassy, local media reported citing an eyewitness.

READ MORE: Car With US Embassy Worker Comes Under Fire in Guatemala, No Injuries — Reports

#explosion outside #usembassy in Beijing. Video from social media. pic.twitter.com/peWc4BcmpM

— Lily Lee (@lilyarieslee) July 26, 2018

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Explosion at the US Embassy in Beijing. WTF? pic.twitter.com/yj5t1ZxaTA

— Wei (@wei_Calgary) July 26, 2018

The detention took place at about 11 a.m. local time (3:00 GMT), the Global Times outlet reported.

It is unclear if the incident is linked to the explosion which reportedly occurred outside the US Embassy later in the day.

The US Embassy in Beijing commented to Sputnik on the situation, saying that "the exact circumstances of the incident are being investigated at the moment."

Chinese police examined a vehicle outside the embassy, according to a Reuters witness.