The southern city of Liuzhou, China was shaken by a series of explosions Wednesday morning, leaving 7 dead, 2 missing and over 50 others wounded.

The official Xinhua News Agency reports at least 17 explosions were set off in Liucheng county, situated in the southern Guangxi region. Several public buildings were hit, including a hospital, food market and bus station. A number of government buildings, including a jail and worker's dormitory, were also targeted.

"There were so many of them, and they were so loud, everyone in the county could hear them," said a hotel employee, family name Li, whose office building was next to one of the explosions. "They sounded like someone was blasting rocks in the mountains."

According to ABC News, The Ministry of Public Security said they were treating the attack as a criminal act, and not one of terrorism. A 33-year-old local man, family name Wei, is currently considered the prime suspect. No details were provided as to a possible motive.

It is unknown if the suspect has been apprehended.

State broadcaster CCTV cited police Chief Zhou Changqing, saying the attack involved "parcels containing explosives." No further details were given.

Several Chinese news outlets have released scenes of the attack over social media. Twitter images show collapsed buildings, rising plumes of smoke and rubble scattered in the streets.

A government worker, surname Luo, gave her experience.

"I heard boom!" the woman said, according to The New York Times. "I thought it was a small earthquake. I did not pay much attention since we had earthquakes like this before."

She said she went outside before a fruit vendor urged her to run.

"I feel a bit scared, and I hope they could catch the culprit soon," she said. "We've never seen anything like this in Liucheng."