Kindergarten explosion kills at least 8, injures 66

Politics & Current Affairs

A summary of the top news in Chinese politics and current affairs for June 15, 2017. Part of the daily The China Project newsletter, a convenient package of Chinaโ€™s business, political, and cultural news delivered to your inbox for free. Subscribe here.


At least eight people were killed and 66 were injured in an explosion on June 15 outside a kindergarten in Xuzhou Municipalityโ€™s Feng County of eastern Chinaโ€™s Jiangsu Province, Xinhua Newsย reportsย (in Chinese).

Chinese state broadcaster CCTVย reported that two people died at the scene and another five died at the hospital. According to the Xuzhou policeโ€™s official Weibo accountย (in Chinese), the blast happened in front of the gate of the Chuangxin Kindergarten at around 4:50 p.m. when classes were underway. No students or teachers are among the dead. โ€œThe policeโ€ฆrushed to the scene as soon as it was reported. They started rescue and investigation work on the site immediately,โ€ the police said.

It was still unclear what caused the explosion, and even if it was intentional. Videosย and photosย circulating online show a group of blood-covered adults and kids lying on the ground outside the kindergarten.