This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7550969.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
US tourist dies in Beijing attack | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A US tourist has been stabbed to death by a Chinese man in central Beijing, officials have said. | |
A second tourist was badly hurt in the attack at the Drum Tower monument. The pair are relatives of a US Olympic volleyball team coach. | |
The assailant then committed suicide by jumping from the 13th Century landmark, officials say. The motive is not known. | |
The BBC's Quentin Somerville says murders, especially targeting foreigners, are very rare in China. | |
The attack happened despite high security across the capital on the first full day of Olympic competition, with more than 150,000 police and other personnel on patrol. | |
Officials named the Chinese man as 47-year-old Tang Yongming, from the eastern town of Hangzhou, but said they had no idea what had motivated his attack or suicide. | |
"While at the Drum Tower in central Beijing, the two family members were stabbed during an attack by what local law enforcement authorities have indicated was a lone assailant," the International Olympic Committee said in a statement. | |
Reports say the tourists' guide was also hurt. | |
On the scene | |
The attack happened at the popular tourist attraction some three miles (5km) from the main Olympics site, at around midday local time. | |
An estimated 450,000 foreign tourists are expected to be in Beijing for the Games, which opened with a lavish ceremony on Friday evening. | An estimated 450,000 foreign tourists are expected to be in Beijing for the Games, which opened with a lavish ceremony on Friday evening. |
The attack happened the day before US President George W Bush - in Beijing to attend the Games - is due to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao. | The attack happened the day before US President George W Bush - in Beijing to attend the Games - is due to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao. |
A US embassy spokesman said he was aware of the reports of the attack. | A US embassy spokesman said he was aware of the reports of the attack. |
"I can tell you that we are working with the family and the Chinese authorities as we speak," Richard Buangan told AFP news agency. | |
US embassy officials have been despatched to the hospital where the two injured attack survivors have been sent. |