Chinese authorities have expressed great concern over the explosions in Tsinghua and Peking universities on Tuesday, ordering emergency treatment for the injured and an immediate investigation into the affair.

The blasts rocked the respective cafeterias of China's two most prestigious universities around noon, injuring nine people. The six injured in the explosion in the Heyuan dining hall at Tsinghua at 11:50 am included a post-doctorate student, a student from the Beijing Broadcasting Institute and four teachers. The three injured in the explosion in Peking University at about 1:20 pm were all staff on duty in the Nongyuan dining hall.

The police disclosed, following a preliminary investigation, that both blasts were caused by homemade black-powder explosives. Currently, the nine injured persons are all recovering and police have launched an investigation.

(Beijing Weekend 28-02-2003)