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Deadly Mexico national day blasts | Deadly Mexico national day blasts |
(about 9 hours later) | |
At least seven people were killed and more than 70 hurt when blasts tore through crowds celebrating independence day, Mexican authorities have said. | |
The explosions happened shortly before midnight, as people gathered in the centre of the western city of Morelia. | The explosions happened shortly before midnight, as people gathered in the centre of the western city of Morelia. |
Local media reports suggest they may have been caused by grenades. | Local media reports suggest they may have been caused by grenades. |
The city is the capital of Michoacan, a state hit by a wave of drug gang violence in recent years. It is not known who was behind Monday's blasts. | The city is the capital of Michoacan, a state hit by a wave of drug gang violence in recent years. It is not known who was behind Monday's blasts. |
The governor of Michocoan, Leonel Godoy, said "organised crime" - a term often used by Mexican officials to denote drug cartels - was behind the latest attack. | |
Drug-related violence in Mexico has claimed the lives of more than 2,700 people so far this year. | Drug-related violence in Mexico has claimed the lives of more than 2,700 people so far this year. |
"Without doubt we are faced with a terrorist attack," the governor added. | |
Shoot-out | Shoot-out |
The explosions went off in the main square of Morelia as the crowds celebrated the beginning of the traditional re-enactment of Mexico's cry for independence, known as El Grito, or The Shout. | |
"The dead and wounded... were the poorest people, who have no other form of entertainment," Reuters news agency quoted Mr Godoy as saying. | |
Dozens of police officers were involved in a shoot-out after chasing suspects near the scene, the local El Sol de Morelia newspaper reported. | Dozens of police officers were involved in a shoot-out after chasing suspects near the scene, the local El Sol de Morelia newspaper reported. |
It said soldiers were deployed to control routes in and out of the city, which lies some 250km (155 miles) west of the capital, Mexico City. | It said soldiers were deployed to control routes in and out of the city, which lies some 250km (155 miles) west of the capital, Mexico City. |
President Felipe Calderon's office said in a statement that it condemned the violence "in the strongest terms" and would redouble its efforts to support the state and its investigation. | President Felipe Calderon's office said in a statement that it condemned the violence "in the strongest terms" and would redouble its efforts to support the state and its investigation. |
Mr Calderon, whose home state is Michoacan, had taken part in independence day celebrations with tens of thousands of people in Mexico City's central Zocalo square. | Mr Calderon, whose home state is Michoacan, had taken part in independence day celebrations with tens of thousands of people in Mexico City's central Zocalo square. |