International   

55 killed in Karachi park blast

B. Muralidhar Reddy

Explosion at Id Milan prayer gathering

ISLAMABAD: Fifty-five persons, including two religious figures, were killed and scores injured in a massive bomb explosion in Karachi on Tuesday evening.

According to Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, the explosion occurred very close to a stage erected in connection with the Id Milan celebrations. The stage was reduced to pieces. A large gathering was at the venue organised by Jamat Ahl-e-Sunnat and it was mayhem once the bomb went off.

The Minister said authorities were still ascertaining whether it was the handiwork of a suicide bomber or the explosion was triggered through a time device.

Enraged onlookers vented their anger at the paramilitary forces present even as dozens of ambulances shifted the injured to hospitals.

Riots in nearby areas of the blast site have also been reported. Two petrol pumps, one fire tender and several cars were set ablaze.

Karachi has been the centre of several incidents of terrorism and sectarian violence for several years now.

The last high profile terrorism incident in the city occurred a day before U.S. President George W. Bush arrived in Pakistan.

AP reports:

The bomb was planted under the stage erected by a Sunni Muslim group for the prayer gathering, said area police chief Shah Nawaz.

``It is a very unfortunate incident,'' Mr. Sherpao told AP.

``I can confirm that 40 people have died in the bomb blast.''

Scores of men wearing long white robes clambered onto the stage to assist victims.

Police officers fired into the air to disperse crowds that massed at the scene.

``I saw body parts everywhere. I saw people collecting body parts and putting them in ambulances,'' he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

55 killed in Karachi park blast
Sharon declared incapacitated
Musharraf urges Muslims to move on path of development
Prodi vows to form strong regime
Twelve killed in LTTE mine attack
Canada lists LTTE as terrorist group
U.K. law against "sham'' marriages struck down
Britain unveils 007-inspired tech-facility
Disease creation for the market
Pupils die in rocket attack
Iran has enriched uranium: Rafsanjani
Probe enters Venus orbit
E.U. halts aid to Hamas Government
Three Gorges project gets top rating
FMT: Pakistan for dialogue
Pakistan claims fisherman killed by Indian Coast Guard

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu