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Pakistan Karachi bomb blast kills dozens Pakistan Karachi bomb blast kills dozens
(35 minutes later)
At least 45 people have been killed by a bomb explosion in the Pakistani city of Karachi, police say.At least 45 people have been killed by a bomb explosion in the Pakistani city of Karachi, police say.
The blast in the mainly Shia Muslim area of Abbas Town destroyed several buildings and set others on fire. Some reports spoke of a second explosion.The blast in the mainly Shia Muslim area of Abbas Town destroyed several buildings and set others on fire. Some reports spoke of a second explosion.
No group has yet said it planted the bomb, which went off near a mosque as worshippers left evening prayers.No group has yet said it planted the bomb, which went off near a mosque as worshippers left evening prayers.
Pakistan's Shia minority are the target of frequent sectarian attacks from Sunni militant groups.Pakistan's Shia minority are the target of frequent sectarian attacks from Sunni militant groups.
Shia Muslims make up about 20% of Pakistan's population of 180 million, and while sectarian violence targeting them is by no means a new phenomenon it is on the rise.
Human Rights Watch says that last year more than 400 Shias were killed in such attacks across the country.
Just in the first two months of this year, nearly 200 Shias - members of the Hazara community - have been killed in the south-western city of Quetta.
Karachi, where this latest anti-Shia bombing has taken place, is notorious for violence of various kinds.
But it is clear that the ability of the authorities to protect Shias is now being tested even more severely - and this as new elections are around the corner.
Political and religious leaders were quick to condemn the Karachi attack and promise help to the victims.
The explosion sent a huge column of smoke into the sky above Karachi and caused a power cut in part of the city.The explosion sent a huge column of smoke into the sky above Karachi and caused a power cut in part of the city.
Rescuers have been struggling to reach people trapped under the rubble.Rescuers have been struggling to reach people trapped under the rubble.
Residents have been using car headlights to help the search for survivors, local media reports said.Residents have been using car headlights to help the search for survivors, local media reports said.
Around 150 people were wounded by the explosion, officials said.Around 150 people were wounded by the explosion, officials said.
Police are investigating where the explosives were planted and whether it was a suicide attack.Police are investigating where the explosives were planted and whether it was a suicide attack.
Rescue work was delayed as some residents fired guns into the air in anger at the carnage, reports say.Rescue work was delayed as some residents fired guns into the air in anger at the carnage, reports say.
Sectarian divideSectarian divide
Pakistan's main political and religious leaders rushed to condemn the attack - the latest to target the Shia minority.Pakistan's main political and religious leaders rushed to condemn the attack - the latest to target the Shia minority.
Nearly 200 people were killed in two separate bombings targeting the Shia community in the south-western city of Quetta in January and February.Nearly 200 people were killed in two separate bombings targeting the Shia community in the south-western city of Quetta in January and February.
Some relatives of the victims there initially refused to bury their dead in protest at what they said was the failure of the authorities to protect their community from attack.Some relatives of the victims there initially refused to bury their dead in protest at what they said was the failure of the authorities to protect their community from attack.
No group has yet admitted to carrying out the Karachi bombing, but correspondents say suspicion is likely to fall on Sunni militant groups.No group has yet admitted to carrying out the Karachi bombing, but correspondents say suspicion is likely to fall on Sunni militant groups.
Groups such as Lashkar-e-Jhangvi regard Shia Muslims as heretics and have stepped up attacks in recent years.Groups such as Lashkar-e-Jhangvi regard Shia Muslims as heretics and have stepped up attacks in recent years.
They are thought to have set several training camps for militants and police seizures have shown they have access to large quantities of weapons and explosives, the BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says.They are thought to have set several training camps for militants and police seizures have shown they have access to large quantities of weapons and explosives, the BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad says.
Some activists called 2012 the worst year in living memory for attacks on Pakistan's Shia community.Some activists called 2012 the worst year in living memory for attacks on Pakistan's Shia community.
Last month Pakistan's Supreme Court called on the authorities to devise a strategy to protect Shia Muslims more effectively, given the increase in attacks.Last month Pakistan's Supreme Court called on the authorities to devise a strategy to protect Shia Muslims more effectively, given the increase in attacks.
Karachi - Pakistan's biggest city and commercial capital - has a long history of violence.Karachi - Pakistan's biggest city and commercial capital - has a long history of violence.
As well as a sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia, that city has also seen conflict between different ethnic communities - Pashtuns from north-west Pakistan, Mohajirs (immigrants from India following the Partition) and Sindhis.As well as a sectarian divide between Sunni and Shia, that city has also seen conflict between different ethnic communities - Pashtuns from north-west Pakistan, Mohajirs (immigrants from India following the Partition) and Sindhis.
Are you in Karachi? Did you witness the explosion? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in Karachi? Did you witness the explosion? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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