The US embassy in Beijing said there were no injuries to embassy staff after reports of an explosion outside the facility.

An embassy staff member said she could not confirm the details of the incident, but there were no reported injuries to workers at the compound at this time.

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 (July 26).

A person who works near the embassy said he heard the explosion at about 1.05pm.

Police did not immediately respond to comments on the incident.

China and the United States are in the middle of a trade dispute, but America remains a hugely popular destination for travel, education and immigration for Chinese.

Source: South China Morning Post

BDST: 1252 HRS, JUL 26, 2018
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