This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7019929.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Tourists hurt in Maldives blast Tourists hurt in Maldives blast
(30 minutes later)
Twelve tourists have been wounded in a bomb blast in a park near the main mosque in the Maldives capital of Male, the UK Foreign Office has said.Twelve tourists have been wounded in a bomb blast in a park near the main mosque in the Maldives capital of Male, the UK Foreign Office has said.
Two Britons, a Japanese and eight Chinese tourists were hurt by the bomb - reported to have been homemade.Two Britons, a Japanese and eight Chinese tourists were hurt by the bomb - reported to have been homemade.
Local media said the blast was triggered using a mobile phone and washing machine motor attached to a gas cylinder.Local media said the blast was triggered using a mobile phone and washing machine motor attached to a gas cylinder.
This is the first time a bomb has exploded in the Maldives.This is the first time a bomb has exploded in the Maldives.
A British Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Two British nationals were injured and we are seeking to confirm this with the authorities in the Maldives."A British Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Two British nationals were injured and we are seeking to confirm this with the authorities in the Maldives."
'Burns and cuts''Burns and cuts'
She confirmed the British pair, thought to be a couple in their 30s, lived in the Gulf state of Qatar.She confirmed the British pair, thought to be a couple in their 30s, lived in the Gulf state of Qatar.
It is thought they were staying on Baros - one of 87 designated tourist islands in the Maldives.It is thought they were staying on Baros - one of 87 designated tourist islands in the Maldives.
Maldives government spokesman Mohamed Shareef confirmed 12 people had received burn injuries and said the victims were in a stable condition. He said the British nationals had suffered the most serious injuries.
Ahmed Afaal, managing director of the ADK Hospital in Male where the two injured Britons are being treated, said the British victims were a woman aged 31 and a 36-year-old man.
He said: "The female has got first degree and second degree burns covering up to 40% of her body. And the male has got 27% burns."
A spokeswoman for Universal Resorts, which owns hotels complexes in the Maldives, said 10 of those injured, including the Britons, were staying with them.A spokeswoman for Universal Resorts, which owns hotels complexes in the Maldives, said 10 of those injured, including the Britons, were staying with them.
She said: "As far as we are aware Universal Resorts have a total of 10 guests who were injured, two of whom were UK citizens that actually live in Qatar.She said: "As far as we are aware Universal Resorts have a total of 10 guests who were injured, two of whom were UK citizens that actually live in Qatar.
The Maldives has a reputation for tranquillityThe Maldives has a reputation for tranquillity
"Those two guests are being taken care of in the hospital in Male and are with Universal Resorts staff."Those two guests are being taken care of in the hospital in Male and are with Universal Resorts staff.
"They have requested that they would like to go back to Qatar as soon as possible.""They have requested that they would like to go back to Qatar as soon as possible."
She added that the injuries sustained by the couple were not considered serious.
Army headquartersArmy headquarters
The two other injured tourists, who were not guests of Universal Resorts, are believed to be from Japan.The two other injured tourists, who were not guests of Universal Resorts, are believed to be from Japan.
A Foreign Office official is flying to the Maldives to provide consular assistance. The Foreign Office does not have staff permanently based in the Maldives.A Foreign Office official is flying to the Maldives to provide consular assistance. The Foreign Office does not have staff permanently based in the Maldives.
Maldives government spokesman Mohamed Shareef confirmed the blast had left 12 people with burn injuries.
A witness reported seeing scattered nails after the blast.A witness reported seeing scattered nails after the blast.
"The Maldives has never had something like this before. We are taking this very seriously because tourism is our life blood," he said."The Maldives has never had something like this before. We are taking this very seriously because tourism is our life blood," he said.
The park is in the shadow of the Maldives army headquarters and several surveillance cameras are trained on the area.The park is in the shadow of the Maldives army headquarters and several surveillance cameras are trained on the area.
More than 600,000 tourists visited the Maldives last year, and the tourist industry is the linchpin of the country's economy.More than 600,000 tourists visited the Maldives last year, and the tourist industry is the linchpin of the country's economy.
The Muslim country has a reputation for tranquillity and the capital has not witnessed gunfire or explosions since an attempted coup in 1988.The Muslim country has a reputation for tranquillity and the capital has not witnessed gunfire or explosions since an attempted coup in 1988.

Are you in the area? Have you, or anyone you know, been affected? Send us your comments and accounts using the form below.

Are you in the area? Have you, or anyone you know, been affected? Send us your comments and accounts using the form below.
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 (0)7725 100 100You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 (0)7725 100 100
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name:
Name: