A MAN who set off homemade explosives at Pudong airport in Shanghai last June was sentenced to eight years in prison today.

Zhou Xingbai, a 30-year-old migrant worker from southwest China’s Guizhou Province, told the court that he was upset after his sister blamed him for all their father’s deteriorating health and contemplated suicide.

On June 9, he bought fireworks, removed the gunpowder and emptied them into three empty beer bottles to make the explosives.

On June 12, he set off from his rental home in Kunshan City in neighboring Jiangsu Province and took a bus to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport. He then took another bus and headed to Pudong International Airport.

He told the court he targeted Pudong Airport because of its international traffic, and that the blasts would have a “major impact.”

He arrived at the airport at around 2:30pm and walked to the T2 building. When he saw passengers queuing up for check-in, he lit the three explosives and threw it at them.

Two of the explosives went off, injuring three people and shattering an airport window. One international flight was cancelled and two others were delayed.

The blast also caused panic among other passengers at the airport.

Zhou tried to commit suicide by slashing his neck after the blasts, but was caught by police and taken to the hospital.

The court was told Zhou showed no signs of mental disorder.