A bomb at a police college east of the Algerian capital, Algiers, has killed 43 people and injured a further 38, the interior ministry says.
A bomb at a police college east of the Algerian capital, Algiers, has killed 43 people and injured a further 38, the interior ministry says.
The attack targeted a paramilitary police training school at Issers, near Boumerdes, about 60km (40 miles) east of Algiers.
The bombing targeted a paramilitary police training school at Issers, near Boumerdes, about 60km (40 miles) east of Algiers.
An attacker drove a car full of explosives into the school's entrance, witnesses told AFP news agency.
An attacker drove a car full of explosives into the school's entrance, witnesses told the AFP news agency.
Algeria has suffered regular attacks blamed on militants linked to al-Qaeda.
Algeria has suffered regular attacks blamed on militants linked to al-Qaeda.
Tuesday's attack came as exam candidates were waiting outside the police school, the witnesses said.
Tuesday's attack came as exam candidates were waiting outside the police school, witnesses said.
Civilians as well as security officials were among the victims, they added.
Civilians as well as security officials were among the victims, they added.
In one of the most recent attacks in Algeria, a suicide bomber at a beach resort killed eight people on 10 August.
In one of the most recent attacks in Algeria, a suicide bomber at a beach resort killed eight people on 10 August.
In December two consecutive bombings in Algiers - including one at the UN offices - killed at least 37 people.
In December two consecutive bombings in Algiers - including one at the UN offices - killed at least 37 people.
The attacks were claimed by the North African branch of al-Qaeda, known as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
The attacks were claimed by the North African branch of al-Qaeda, known as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
No immediate claim of responsibility for Tuesday's bombing was reported.
No immediate claim of responsibility for Tuesday's bombing was reported.
Algeria has been struggling to emerge from a long civil conflict that started in 1992 when the army intervened to prevent a hardline Islamist party winning parliamentary elections.
Violence has been much reduced compared with the levels of the 1990s, but there has been a surge in high profile attacks - including suicide bombings - since late 2006.
That was after the last significant insurgent group to survive the conflict, the Salafist Group for Call and Conflict (GSPC), changed its name to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Algeria is a major exporter of oil and gas.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the explosion? Send your comment using the form below:
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the explosion? Send your comment using the form below:
