Beijing, Jun 16: A blast triggered by a low-intensity device rocked an outlet of US-based food chain 'McDonalds' in north China's Xian, state media reported. A home-made explosive went off in the men's restroom at around 350 pm local time yesterday and the remote ignition devices were found in a pressure cooker, official Xinhua news agency said quoting police.

Though the blast caused panic, there were no casualties or damage to property, they said.

This is the second time the food chain is being targeted in Xian after two persons were killed and 27 injured when a bomb exploded at another McDonalds restaurant just two kilometre away from yesterday's site, in December 2001, the report said. Police sources said soon after yesterday's blast, a number of calls were received saying bombs were planted in some other outlets too, which after intensive search, proved to be hoax.

Bureau Report