Karachi, Pakistan – A bomb exploded during evening prayers at a park in this southern Pakistani city today, killing at least 40 people and wounding dozens. An angry mob burned cars and threw stones at police, who fired into the air to disperse the crowd, a witness said.
A bomb was planted under a stage prepared by a Sunni Muslim group at Nishtar Park in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, for a prayer service to celebrate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, said area police chief Shah Nawaz.
“We don’t know who might be responsible, but we are handling a big tragedy,” Nawaz told The Associated Press.
Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao told AP that at least 40 people were killed. “It is a very unfortunate incident,” he said.
Semi Jamali, a doctor at a nearby hospital where at least 24 bodies were taken, said dozens of people were being treated for injuries.
Scenes of mass confusion broke out after the explosion in the park, where hundreds of people had gathered for the prayer service.
Scores of men wearing long white robes clambered onto the stage to assist victims, and an angry mob burned cars and pelted police with stones after the blast, said witness Mohammed Asif. Police forces fired into the air to disperse the crowds.
People were seen carrying away bloodied victims and placing them into ambulances. Four men carried one victim in what looked like a white sheet that was soaked with blood.
“I saw body parts everywhere. I saw people collecting body parts and putting them in ambulances,” Asif said.
