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Pakistan explosion leaves many dead at Lahore park | Pakistan explosion leaves many dead at Lahore park |
(about 1 hour later) | |
At least 60 people have been killed and scores injured in an explosion at a public park in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, officials say. | |
The park was crowded with families at the time and most of the victims are said to be women and children. | |
Police told the BBC it appeared to be a suicide bomb. A Pakistan Taliban faction said it carried out the attack. | |
Pakistan's president has condemned the blast and the regional government has announced three days of mourning. | |
All the major hospitals in the area have been put on an emergency footing. | All the major hospitals in the area have been put on an emergency footing. |
The explosion appears to have been at the main gate to the Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in an area where cars are usually left - and a short distance from the children's swings. | The explosion appears to have been at the main gate to the Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in an area where cars are usually left - and a short distance from the children's swings. |
One eyewitness said there was chaos, with a stampede breaking out and children separated from their parents in the rush to escape. | One eyewitness said there was chaos, with a stampede breaking out and children separated from their parents in the rush to escape. |
Another man told Pakistan's Geo TV station he was heading towards a fairground ride with his wife and two children when he heard a huge bang and all four of them were thrown to the floor. | |
Hasan Imran, 30, a local resident who had gone to the park for a walk told Reuters: "When the blast occurred, the flames were so high they reached above the trees and I saw bodies flying in the air." | Hasan Imran, 30, a local resident who had gone to the park for a walk told Reuters: "When the blast occurred, the flames were so high they reached above the trees and I saw bodies flying in the air." |
A health adviser to the regional government said more than 280 people had been injured and it was feared the number of dead would rise further. | A health adviser to the regional government said more than 280 people had been injured and it was feared the number of dead would rise further. |
The agency also reported that the army was called in to control crowds outside the park. | The agency also reported that the army was called in to control crowds outside the park. |
Facebook has activated its feature for people in Lahore to mark themselves as safe. | Facebook has activated its feature for people in Lahore to mark themselves as safe. |
Lahore is the capital of Punjab, Pakistan's largest and wealthiest province and the political powerbase of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. | Lahore is the capital of Punjab, Pakistan's largest and wealthiest province and the political powerbase of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. |
Pakistan Taliban splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar told local and Western media it was behind the attack. | |
"We claim responsibility for the attack on Christians as they were celebrating Easter," spokesperson Ehansullah Ehsan told Pakistan's Express Tribune. | |
Pakistan has suffered regular incidents of Taliban-related violence, sectarian strife and criminal gang activity. | Pakistan has suffered regular incidents of Taliban-related violence, sectarian strife and criminal gang activity. |
Meanwhile in the capital, Islamabad, police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters who marched in support of Islamist gunman Mumtaz Qadri, who they see as a religious hero. | Meanwhile in the capital, Islamabad, police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters who marched in support of Islamist gunman Mumtaz Qadri, who they see as a religious hero. |
Qadri was hanged last month for the murder of Punjab governor Salman Taseer five years ago. | Qadri was hanged last month for the murder of Punjab governor Salman Taseer five years ago. |
Mr Taseer had defended a Christian woman jailed on blasphemy charges. | Mr Taseer had defended a Christian woman jailed on blasphemy charges. |
Are you in the area? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you in the area? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |