Explosion in Bangladesh Kills Nine

A bomb exploded during a New Year's celebration early Saturday, killing nine people and injuring dozens of others at an open-air concert in Bangladesh's capital.

A second blast about 45 minutes later injured a police officer who was trying to defuse a bomb he found in Ramna Park. An army bomb disposal squad was called in to detonate a third device found in the park after it was cordoned off.

Inspector General Nurul Huda said police were trying to determine who was behind the explosions in central Dhaka, where 2,000 revelers gathered to bring in the Bengali New Year.

Seven people were killed instantly, according to doctors who said at least 26 people were taken to the state-run hospitals. With several of the injuries critical, the death toll was expected to rise, police said.

Witnesses said they saw police carry away several bodies, some of them torn apart.

``The green grass of the park was stained with blood,'' said Zia Islam, a photographer who was at the explosion site.

No one claimed responsibility for the blasts.






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