At least 25 people have been killed in blasts near a mosque in western India, police and hospital officials say.
At least 25 people have been killed in blasts near a mosque in western India, police and hospital officials say.
More than 100 others were hurt in the explosions after Friday prayers in Malegaon. The hospital in the town says 25 of them are in a serious condition.
More than 125 others were hurt in the explosions after Friday prayers in Malegaon. The hospital in the town says 25 of them are in a serious condition.
State police chief PS Pasricha said a curfew had been imposed and police reinforcements sent to the town.
State police chief PS Pasricha said a curfew had been imposed and police reinforcements sent to the town.
It is not clear what caused the blasts or how many there were. The town has seen religious violence in the past.
It is not clear what caused the blasts or how many there were. The town has seen religious violence in the past.
Patients were brought to our hospital and we treated some of them and sent the rest to other hospitals LN Chauhan, Wadia hospital
There were at least 25 bodies of people killed in the blasts at the Wadia hospital in Malegaon, its chief medical officer, LN Chauhan, told the BBC.
He said his staff were treating more than 125 people for injuries, 25 of whom were in a serious condition.
'Tense'
'Tense'
Some police officials said three blasts occurred soon after Friday prayers, which were reportedly attended by thousands of worshippers.
Some police officials said three blasts occurred soon after Friday prayers, which were reportedly attended by thousands of worshippers.
The police chief said the situation was tense but under control in Malegaon, which is in Nashik district about 260km (160 miles) north-east of the state capital, Mumbai.
The police chief said the situation was tense but under control in Malegaon, which is in Nashik district about 260km (160 miles) north-east of the state capital, Mumbai.
Speaking at a news conference in Mumbai, Mr Pasricha said angry crowds had pelted stones at police after the blast.
Speaking at a news conference in Mumbai, Mr Pasricha said angry crowds had pelted stones at police after the blast.
He added that officers remained on alert throughout Maharashtra state.
He added that officers remained on alert throughout Maharashtra state.
India's Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, has strongly condemned the blasts and appealed for calm.
India's Home Minister, Shivraj Patil, has strongly condemned the blasts and appealed for calm.
Mr Patil said they were an attempt to disturb peace and communal harmony and the government would firmly deal with those responsible.
Mr Patil said they were an attempt to disturb peace and communal harmony and the government would firmly deal with those responsible.
A home ministry official in Delhi told the BBC that central security forces, including personnel from the anti-riot Rapid Action Force, were being sent to Malegaon.
A home ministry official in Delhi told the BBC that central security forces, including personnel from the anti-riot Rapid Action Force, were being sent to Malegaon.
Muslim-majority Malegaon, which has a large community of weavers, is a town with a history of communal rioting.
Muslim-majority Malegaon, which has a large community of weavers, is a town with a history of communal rioting.
Earlier this year, the police recovered a large cache of arms and explosives from the area.
Earlier this year, the police recovered a large cache of arms and explosives from the area.
In October 2001, violence in protest at the US attacks on Afghanistan left a total of 12 people dead in the town.
In October 2001, violence in protest at the US attacks on Afghanistan left a total of 12 people dead in the town.
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Have you been affected by this incident? Did you witness the blast or are you in the area? Send us your comments using the form below.
