According to state media reports, the blast happened when a man threw an “explosive wine bottle” before severing his own throat.

The Xinhua news agency reported that the blast at Pudong airport, which is China’s second biggest airport in the commercial hub of Shanghai, occurred at around 2:20 pm near a check-in counter at Terminal 2, when what appeared to be a “home-made” explosive blew up. 

The report further mentioned that the suspect was in ICU adding that four persons other than the suspect were injured and have been admitted to hospital.

The injured include a 53-year-old Philippine man, as well as a 67-year-old man and a 64-year-old woman, both of whom are Chinese. Doctors said they sustained injuries to their heads, hands and legs.

An initial investigation has found evidence suggesting that the man’s injury could have been self-induced, hinting he might have set off the blast.

Though the area was cordoned off, there was no disruption to flights in or out of the airport, according to authorities. An investigation into the blast has been started.

Eyewitnesses said that passengers ran for safety after a loud bang rocked the hall.

“A beer bottle filled with white smoke rolled right by my feet. I was scared and ran at once,” said an eyewitness.

Photos and video clips posted online showed dense grey smoke at the terminal, and paramilitary security forces rushing into the building. They also showed police keeping people away from the scene and abandoned luggage littering the floor.

In 2013, a wheelchair-bound man set off a bomb at Beijing airport to highlight a personal grievance. He later received a six-year prison sentence.

(With inputs from PTI)

(Feature image source: Reuters)