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Deadly double bombing in Karachi Deadly double bombing in Karachi
(about 1 hour later)
An explosion has killed 10 people at a Pakistani hospital where victims of an earlier bombing were being treated, police and doctors say. Two bombs in the Pakistani city of Karachi have killed at least 22 people and injured more than 50.
At least 12 people were killed in the first attack on a bus of Shia Muslims heading to a religious festival. In the first blast, a motorbike laden with explosives hit a bus carrying Shia Muslims to a religious procession and exploded, killing 12 people.
About 50 people were injured in the attack, and were taken to Jinnah hospital in Karachi. An hour later, a motorcycle exploded outside the entrance to the emergency ward of the hospital where the victims of the first attack were being treated.
About an hour later there was a large blast just outside the emergency ward of the hospital, police said. At least 10 people were killed in the second attack.
Shia Muslims are marking the end of the Arbaeen religious festival, with Friday being the final and most important day of 40 days of mourning for the Prophet Muhammad's grandson. The bombings happened in spite of tight security across Pakistan.
ANALYSIS Syed Shoaib Hasan, BBC News This is the first time such a double attack has hit Karachi. Although no-one has yet accepted responsibility, the Taliban have often used such tactics in the North West Frontier Province.ANALYSIS Syed Shoaib Hasan, BBC News This is the first time such a double attack has hit Karachi. Although no-one has yet accepted responsibility, the Taliban have often used such tactics in the North West Frontier Province.
The attack is likely to fuel more violence in what is already a volatile metropolis. Karachi is already reeling from weeks of unrest due to targeted political killings.The attack is likely to fuel more violence in what is already a volatile metropolis. Karachi is already reeling from weeks of unrest due to targeted political killings.
These started after political tensions boiled over following a similar attack on a Shia procession in December, which killed more than 40 people.These started after political tensions boiled over following a similar attack on a Shia procession in December, which killed more than 40 people.
Forty days ago, during the last major Shia festival, a suicide bomber killed 25 worshippers in the city.
Shia Muslims are marking the end of the Arbaeen religious festival, with Friday being the final and most important day of 40 days of mourning for the Prophet Muhammad's grandson.
Also on Friday, at least 27 Shia Muslims were killed in the Iraqi city of Karbala as they took part in a major Arbaeen event.Also on Friday, at least 27 Shia Muslims were killed in the Iraqi city of Karbala as they took part in a major Arbaeen event.
Approximately a million Shia Muslim pilgrims are in Karbala to visit the Imam Hussein shrine at the end of commemorations.Approximately a million Shia Muslim pilgrims are in Karbala to visit the Imam Hussein shrine at the end of commemorations.
In Karachi, the first attack took place on the main road of the country's commercial centre. In Karachi, the first attack took place on a commercial street near the main Sharah-e-Faisal road connecting Karachi airport with the city.
It was not clear whether the motorcycle bomb was rammed into the bus by a suicide bomber or was parked by the side of the road. The bus that came under attack was one of dozens used to transport Shia pilgrims from all over the city to a central procession.
Karachi police chief Waseem Ahmad said it was too soon to say what exactly had happened.
"We are examining the site. We are collecting the evidence. We are taking witness statements and then we will say something concrete," he said.
Security cordon
The bus was one of dozens used to transport Shia mourners from all over the city to a central procession.
Who are the Shia?Who are the Shia?
The attack happened on a commercial street near the main Sharah-e-Faisal road connecting Karachi airport with the city. It was not clear whether the motorcycle bomb was rammed into the bus by a suicide bomber or was parked by the side of the road.
The main mourning procession is being held on MA Jinnah Road, which is guarded on all sides by heavy security to prevent a repeat of an attack on a Shia march in December which killed 43 people. The attack injured about 50 people, who were taken to Jinnah hospital.
But the attacker on Friday chose a different target, away from the security cordon. About an hour later there was a large blast just outside the emergency ward of the hospital.
At the hospital a local journalist said he saw six bodies from the second blast, and doctors had confirmed a total of 10 people were killed.
Mr Ahmad said the procession was continuing despite the attack.
Sectarian tension between the Shia minority and the Sunni majority rose after the December attack, and riots erupted.Sectarian tension between the Shia minority and the Sunni majority rose after the December attack, and riots erupted.
Tension remains high, and paramilitary troops were deployed in the city days ago amid deadly clashes between rival political groups.Tension remains high, and paramilitary troops were deployed in the city days ago amid deadly clashes between rival political groups.
The Shia-Sunni schism originates from a dispute soon after the death of the Prophet Muhammad over who should lead the Muslims.
Sunnis remain the majority globally, with Shias estimated to number about 10% of all Muslims.
Are you in Karachi? Did you witness the attack? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in Karachi? Did you witness the attack? Send us your experiences using the form below.
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