A MASSIVE blast rocked the US Embassy in Beijing after a man tried to hurl a homemade bomb into the compound.

Dramatic pictures showed huge plumes of smoke billowing from the southeast corner of the embassy compound on Thursday at around 1pm local time (6am BST).

7 Huge plumes of smoke billow from the compound in northeastern Beijing

7 Police swoop the compound in northeastern Beijing following reports a man tried to throw a homemade device towards the building

Beijing police said the suspect, a 26-year-old from Inner Mongolia, Northern China, had injured his hand.

He had aimed to throw the "firework device" over the compound's gated fence, but it exploded next to him, Radio Free Asia reported.

Chinese state media outlet Global Times said locals heard a "thunder-like bang" at around 1.30pm local time.

Footage posted shortly after the blast filmed dozens fleeing for cover as smoke filled the area.

7 Witnesses flee the scene in northeastern Beijing Credit: Twitter

7 Others appear shocked and confused taking cover away from the embassy Credit: Tanboniu

7 A security personnel gestures near the U.S. embassy in Beijing Credit: Reuters

But in pictures which have now been removed, others appeared confused as they lined up outside the compound for visa appointments.

Traffic appeared to move as normal in an area of northeastern Beijing is home to numerous embassies including those of France, India and Israel.

Staff at the Indian and South Korean embassies near the US compound said they were unaware of any unusual incident and were working as normal.

A police SUV appeared to have been damaged, with its back windshield missing, and was cordoned off by police before being removed, a witness said.

The scene remains on lockdown.

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7 Police officers swarm the scene after an official vehicle was left damaged Credit: Reuters

7 Security officials cordon off the surrounding area Credit: AP:Associated Press

Police did not immediately respond to comments on the incident.

A witness told the New York Times the Mongolian was trying to attract attention for a contentious human rights issue.

Chinese police had previously detained 39 Mongolians who were protesting over land rights.

Hours before the explosion, a woman had sprayed herself with gasoline and was taken away by police, state-run media reported.

But it has not been confirmed if the two incidents are linked.

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

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