At least eight people were killed and several wounded in a bomb blast at a Bengali New Year cultural function in Dhaka Saturday.
At least three of the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, an AFP photographer said at the traditional open-air dawn concert at Ramna Batamul park.
He saw victims lying in a pool of blood as hundreds of people fled in panic.
Another witness said most of those injured in the blast shortly after 8 a.m. (0200 GMT) were being treated for severe burns from what was suspected to be a powerful petrol bomb.
Police confirmed the incident but refused to comment further.
"Yes, there is a fatal blast, but we are busy and can't talk on the phone," a police officer at local police station said.
In a second smaller blast near the scene, a policeman received minor injuries. The area has been cordoned off, traffic diverted and army explossive experts called in.
Noone immediately claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed was due to make a statement on the blast later Saturday during her scheduled New Year meeting with cultural leaders, an aide said.
None of the artists from the Chayanot cultural group performing traditional New Year songs at the time were injured, witnesses said – DHAKA (AFP)
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