Audio By Carbonatix
A bomb killed 11 people in a poor district of Pakistan's financial hub of Karachi on Wednesday, mostly teenagers playing street football at a crowded market, officials said.
The sweltering port of 18 million people is largely inured to violence - around a dozen bodies are found around the city every day - but the killing of so many youngsters shocked many residents.
"There was total chaos when the bomb went off. People were screaming and running for safety," said resident Zafar Baluch.
It was unclear who was behind the blast in the Lyari district, a stronghold of the main opposition Pakistan People's Party. Karachi is home to many militant groups, including the Taliban. Many political parties there have armed wings to fight turf wars.
The attack appeared to be aimed at a provincial minister, Javed Nagori, who had come to hand out prizes at the football match, said provincial information minister Sharjeel Memon.
The children had been playing while their parents shopped for the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid. In the run-up to Eid, many markets open all night since residents are fasting during the day.
"There was smoke everywhere and people were covered in glass," said Sheree, who didn't want to give her last name. She was near Nagori's convoy when the blast knocked her off her feet. She saw the bodies of three children, she said.
In the capital of Islamabad, security forces have been put on high alert until the holiday is over.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Ghana’s tuna industry in crisis as 20 hook-and-line vessels collapse
5 minutes -
South Tongu MP launches apprenticeship programme for 159 young people
19 minutes -
The Pusiga connection behind Gertrude Atongi’s work in New York
45 minutes -
Teachers took promotion exams in December to beat government clearance deadline – GNAT
47 minutes -
NPA launches 2026 staff welfare week with focus on teamwork and employee wellbeing
50 minutes -
Ghana, Saint Kitts and Nevis sign labour deal to strengthen protections for Ghanaian nurses
56 minutes -
Delayed promotions put teachers’ retirement benefits at risk – GNAT
59 minutes -
No ‘Bawumia candidates’ in NPP executive elections – Anthony Karbo
1 hour -
Over 3,000 displaced as flooding overwhelms Hohoe communities
1 hour -
Sunyani East NPP executives begin reconciliation drive ahead of 2028 polls
1 hour -
Agric Minister engages Ga Mantse on agriculture transformation agenda
1 hour -
Aayalolo expansion targets private car users, not trotro operators – Mahama Ayariga
1 hour -
KNUST, GMTF explore AI partnership to transform healthcare delivery
1 hour -
MTTD records 9,000 preventable crashes, over 900 deaths in eight months
2 hours -
UN Secretary-General expresses optimism about future, pledges support for Mahama, AU
2 hours