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International

Chinese embassy blast: Car bomb attack in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

10:25, Tuesday, 30 August, 2016
Chinese embassy blast: Car bomb attack in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

A car driven by a suicide bomber has exploded after ramming the gates of the Chinese embassy in the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek, officials say.

The suicide bomber died and three embassy employees, all Kyrgyz nationals, were injured, Deputy PM Zhenish Razakov said.

The chief of security at the Chinese embassy told the local AKIpress news agency that no Chinese were hurt.

Social media footage showed smoke billowing above the building.

China's foreign ministry condemned the incident as an "extreme and violent attack" and urged Kyrgyz authorities to conduct a thorough investigation.

No-one has yet said they were behind the attack.

The vehicle reportedly smashed through the gates and exploded in the centre of the compound, close to the ambassador's residence.

"As a result of the explosion, only the suicide bomber terrorist died. Security guards were injured," Mr Razakov told journalists.
     As well as Chinese embassy employees, staff at the American embassy nearby were evacuated.
     Kyrgyz security officials are at the scene conducting an investigation into the blast, which came a day before the nation marks its Independence Day.
     Kyrgyz authorities conducted several anti-terrorism operations in Bishkek in 2015.
     Officials say that some 500 Kyrgyz nationals are believed to have joined so-called Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

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