Hangzhou arson suspect identified

The identity of a bus arson suspect in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, was confirmed by local police on July 7.

The suspect, Bao Laixu, is still in critical condition.

The 34-year-old, from Gansu province, arrived in Hangzhou on July 5, the day he allegedly set a bus on fire and injured 31 others. Before that, he was living in Yiwu, a city about 150 km from Hangzhou.

The case is still under investigation.

Bao was identified by his former co-workers in a paper mill in Yiwu. They said Bao was diagnosed as tuberculosis in September, and quit his job in October.

Residence records showed that Bao has been working in cities in the province since 2010. His hometown, Zhangxian county of Gansu, is a national-level impoverished county. His father said that he has been away from his hometown for six years.

Bao's landlord in Yiwu, surnamed Yang, said that Bao visited Hangzhou often for medical treatment.