At least five people have been killed in an explosion at a historic mosque in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, police say.
At least five people have been killed in a bomb explosion at a historic mosque in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad, the authorities say.
A number of others were injured in the blast at the Mecca Masjid, one of biggest mosques in the country.
Many more were hurt in the blast during Friday prayers at the Mecca Masjid, one of India's biggest mosques. Ambulances ferried the injured to hospital.
It is not yet clear what caused the explosion, although police say they found two live bombs nearby.
Interior Minister Shivraj Patil said the explosion at the entrance to the mosque was caused by a "crude bomb".
It happened at the entrance of the mosque during Friday prayers. The injured have been taken to hospital.
Police say they also found and defused two live bombs near the mosque.
Federal interior minister Shivraj Prasad told reporters that the explosion was caused by a "crude bomb".
"The situation is under control," YS Rajshekhar Reddyhe, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state of which Hyderabad is capital, told reporters in Delhi.
The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Rajshekhar Reddy said that police had defused the two live bombs they had found in the vicinity of the mosque following the explosion.
He said the bombing was an act of "intentional sabotage on the peace and tranquility in the country" and appealed for calm.
"The situation is under control," he told reporters.
Injured
Injured
The blast took place as thousands of Muslims were wrapping up Friday prayers at the Mecca Masjid.
The blast took place as thousands of Muslims were wrapping up Friday prayers at the Mecca Masjid.
Hyderabad is one of the biggest cities in southern India, and a growing software and biotechnology hub. It has a large Muslim population.
Hyderabad is one of the biggest cities in southern India and has a large Muslim population, many of whom live in the congested old city where the mosque is located.
The mosque is located in the old city which is predominantly Muslim and very congested.
There was chaos and anger after the explosion. Many in the congregation ran for cover, some covered in blood.
Many in the congregation ran for cover, some covered in blood.
"I was very close to the spot of the blast," one man, Abdul Quader, who escaped with minor leg injuries, told the Associated Press.
Police and emergency services are now at the site which has been cordoned off.
"As soon as prayers ended, we were about to get up, there was a huge deafening blast sending bodies into the air," he said.
"People stated running helter-skelter, there was such confusion. People were bleeding, running around in a very bad condition."
Police and emergency services were quickly at the site which has been cordoned off.
There are fears that the number of dead could rise further. Police say some of the injured are in a serious condition.
There are fears that the number of dead could rise further. Police say some of the injured are in a serious condition.
Last year more than 35 people were killed after bomb attacks near a mosque in the western state of Maharashtra. It is still not clear who carried out those attacks.
Last year more than 35 people were killed after bomb attacks near a mosque in the western state of Maharashtra. It is still not clear who carried out those attacks.
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Are you near the area? Have you been caught up by the blast? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
