Ministry: police must improve public transport security

The Ministry of Public Security asked all police authorities to improve security of the public transportation system on Wednesday after a fatal blast on a bus in Guangdong province the previous day.

Vice-Minister Huang Ming said every public security bureau across the country must highlight security in subways and buses, removing risks in their regular inspections, according to the official website of the ministry.

Police are required to strictly crack down on violent crimes and anyone carrying explosives on public transportation, Huang said.

Subway trains and buses must carry safety equipment to deal with such incidents, and conductors should be trained in how to use the equipment and to enhance their awareness and ability to identify illegal products, the ministry said.

Everything that passengers take into subway stations should come under stricter security checks, the ministry added.

At least two passengers were killed and 32 injured in the blast and fire on a bus in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Tuesday night.

A suspect, surnamed Ou, 25, was arrested 16 hours after the explosion, Guangzhou police said.

Ou said he caused the blast because he lost money gambling, police said, adding investigation of the case is still ongoing.

caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn