Bomb carnage at Karachi prayers

The attack happened as people took part in evening prayers 

April 11,2006

At least 47 people have died in a suspected suicide bombing at a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad's birth in southern Pakistan.
More than 80 people were injured when the blast ripped apart a wooden stage where religious leaders were sitting.

Tens of thousands of Sunni Muslims had been taking part in evening prayers in Karachi's Nishtar Park at the time.

Angry crowds later went on the rampage in the city, accusing the police of failing to provide adequate security.

Three days of mourning has been declared.

The attack was condemned by Shia leader Allama Hassan Turabi as well as President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao confirmed the death toll had risen to 47.

He told the BBC the attack appeared to have been carried out by a suicide bomber.

Initial reports suggested the bomb had been planted under the wooden stage, but Mr Sherpao said "investigators have found no crater in the ground under the stage".

"People sitting on the stage were killed which suggests the bomb was carried by someone on the stage," the minister added.

No-one has claimed responsibility for the explosion at what was believed to be the biggest of such events being held in Pakistan. Read more...


Note:

A source in Karachi, Pakistan says the death toll is 50 and 30 injured.