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 bombing 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 the 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, witnesses said.
Tuesday's attack targeted exam candidates who 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.
'Carnage'
In December two consecutive bombings in Algiers - including one at the UN offices - killed at least 37 people.
The bomb destroyed the entrance to the school as well as several nearby buildings.
The attacks were claimed by the North African branch of al-Qaeda, known as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
"It's utter carnage," the elderly father of one of those killed in the attack told AFP.
No immediate claim of responsibility for Tuesday's bombing was reported.
"May God punish them for the crime they have committed against these youngsters, and their country," he said, weeping.
Interior Minister Yazid Zerhouni, who went to the scene surrounded by heavy security, called the bombing "an act against Algerians."
ATTACKS IN ALGERIA 2007-2008 10 August 2008: Eight killed by suicide bombing outside police station in Zemmouri8 June 2008: French engineer and driver killed east of Algiers5 June 2008: Roadside bomb kills six soldiers east of AlgiersJanuary 2008: Suicide bombing kills four policemen in NaciriaDecember 2007: Twin car bombs kill at least 37 including 10 UN staff in Algiers8 September 2007: 32 die in bombing in Dellys6 September 2007: 22 die in bombing in BatnaJuly 2007: Suicide bomber targets barracks near Bouira, killing nineApril 2007: 33 killed in attacks on government offices and a police station
The attack came as Algerian newspapers reported that Islamist militants had ambushed eight policemen, three soldiers and a civilian near Skikda in eastern Algeria on Sunday.
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.
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.
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.
In September 2006 the last significant insurgent group to survive the conflict, the Salafist Group for Call and Conflict (GSPC), confirmed an alliance with al-Qaeda.
In September 2006 the last significant insurgent group to survive the conflict, the Salafist Group for Call and Conflict (GSPC), confirmed an alliance with al-Qaeda.
Shortly afterwards it changed its name to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Shortly afterwards it changed its name to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Algeria is a major exporter of oil and gas.
Algeria is a major exporter of oil and gas.
In the most recent reported bomb attack, 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's offices - killed at least 37 people.
Those attacks were claimed by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
No immediate claim of responsibility for Tuesday's bombing was reported.
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