A man looking to do a hatchet job on his ex-wife set off a deadly car bomb outside her family home in the coastal city of Zhanjiang in Southwest Guangdong on Wednesday.

Police say seven people were killed in the explosion, which injured 18 others including that of the car bomber who is currently in a coma.

Five died at the scene, and two more died in hospital.

The man who detonated the bomb told police he had driven the car to the location and deliberately set out to hurt as many as he could.

The ex-husband was looking for payback after a custody row over their children.

China Daily reports:

The explosion occurred outside the home of the Zhao family, the eldest daughter of which had divorced Chen.

Most of the victims were relatives of the Zhao family who were visiting for the Lunar New Year holiday.

Here’s what one eyewitness said:

The explosion damaged several homes in the neighborhood, including Zhao Yawei’s house, which is located at least 50 meters away.

“I was working in the fields when I heard a bang and saw dark smoke in the sky,” said Zhao. “When I ran home, I saw our window panes were broken and my son’s feet were bleeding — he was hurt by broken glass.”

Most of the injured are villagers. Five people are in a critical condition in hospital.

The police are continuing with their investigations.

Story via Shanghaiist. Pictures from China Daily/Sina