Bomb rips through busy market
2007-05-08 13:04
Cotabato, Philippines - A powerful bomb tore through a packed public market in the southern Philippine city of Tacurong on Tuesday, leaving an unknown number of people dead and wounded, an official said.
Initial police reports said the explosion was caused by an "improvised explosive device", mayor Lino Montilla said.
Several people were seen bloodied and lying on the ground after the blast, he said.
Bomb squad police said a package containing the bomb was left at a billiards hall in the market by a group of as yet unidentified men.
Radio reports quoting police sources said five people died on the spot while several others were rushed to a nearby hospital.
The blast came six days before the Philippines is to hold mid-term elections, and also two weeks after the US embassy in Manila warned its citizens to avoid going to public areas in Mindanao after it received information of an imminent terrorist threat.
"The embassy has information that a terrorist group may be planning to carry out bombing attacks in central Mindanao over the next several days," the travel warning circulated April 20 said.
It asked Americans to "carefully consider plans" to visit the area, keep a low profile and avoid going to public places.