Bomb blast at Belarus metro station kills 12, injures 149

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Bomb blast at Belarus metro station kills 12, injures 149

2011-04-12 09:29:27 GMT+7 (ICT)

MINSK (BNO NEWS) -- A powerful bomb blast ripped through a metro station in the Belarusian capital on early Monday evening, killing 11 people and injuring more than 100 others, officials said.

The explosion happened at around 5.56 p.m. local time at the Oktyabrskaya metro station in Minsk, not far from the presidential residence. Hundreds of people were at the station as two passenger trains had just arrived at the platforms.

Internal Affairs Minister Anatoly Kuleshov said the blast, which was equivalent to 5 to 7 kilograms (11 to 15.4 pounds) of TNT, was caused by a nail bomb that was placed under a bench near a train. It caused a crater 80 centimeters (2.6 feet) in diameter.

Belarusian police reported that at least 12 people were killed in the explosion, while 149 others were injured. More than 20 people were described to be in a serious or critical condition. Some of the injured did not require hospitalization.

Scores of ambulances, fire trucks and police vehicles could be seen in the area of the station, and pictures from the scene showed at least two bodies laying outside the station. Footage from inside the station showed the complex was filled with gray smoke.

The office of Alexander Lukashenko said the president was immediately informed of the explosion and quickly arrived at the scene. He, along with his son, laid flowers at the scene in memory of the victims.

Lukashenko later held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation, and instructed emergency services to increase transportation security and to provide all necessary medical assistance to the victims and their relatives.

The Belarusian President also ordered the Attorney General to immediately form an investigative team. "As soon as possible we must get all the details and investigate everything. Those responsible must be found," he said.

Lukashenko did not rule out a connection to a bomb blast at an outdoor concert in Minsk on July 4, 2008, injuring more than 50 people. Officials had initially blamed hooligans, but no one ever claimed responsibility. "Maybe its connected," he said, giving no other details.

With the exception of the 2008 bomb blast and two non-fatal bomb blasts in 2005, Belarus is fairly unknown to terrorism and Monday's attack was the first fatal terrorist attack in the country's modern history.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev later on Monday evening spoke with Lukashenko by phone to express his deep condolences following the tragedy. "Russia sincerely empathizes with the pain of the terrible losses from the tragedy that has befallen the brotherly people of Belarus," the Kremlin said.

Medvedev asked Lukashenko to pass on his words of support to families of the victims, and his wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. He stressed his readiness to provide all necessary help and assistance.

In Moscow, officials said police had been put on alert and security was being increased in wake of the explosion in Minsk. Last year, two female suicide bombers killed 40 people at two metro stations in the Russian capital. Scores of others were injured.

Meanwhile, European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek was also among the first foreign leaders to comment on the event, saying he extends his condolences to the families of the victims. "I wish a speedy and full recovery to the injured. The cause of the blast must be fully investigated," he added.

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Chairperson-in-Office Audronius Ažubalis also expressed his condolences in a statement. "I extend our sincere condolences to the Belarusian people after today's explosion. Our sympathies are especially extended to the families of the deceased and injured," he said.

Further, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was saddened to learn of the deadly explosion and conveyed his sincerest condolences to the people of Belarus and, in particular, to the families of the victims.

Lukashenko has been the president of Belarus since July 1994 and has been called the "last remaining true dictatorship in the heart of Europe" by the United States. There are no known terrorist groups which target Belarus specifically.

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