At least 29 people have been killed in two blasts at a Muslim graveyard in western India, police and medics say.
At least 29 people have been killed in two blasts at a Muslim graveyard in western India, police and medics say.
More than 125 others were hurt in the explosions after Friday prayers in Malegaon. The hospital in the town says 20 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 20 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 as Muslims left prayers. The town has seen religious violence in the past.
It is not clear what caused the blasts as Muslims left prayers. 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
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 29 bodies of people killed in the blasts at the Wadia hospital in Malegaon, its chief medical officer, LN Chauhan, told the BBC.
There were at least 29 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, 20 of whom were in a serious condition.
He said his staff were treating more than 125 people for injuries, 20 of whom were in a serious condition.
'Big noise'
'Big noise'
One of the first journalists to reach the scene of the blasts in Malegaon, Vaisahali Balajiwale, told the BBC that the explosion inside the town's main burial ground for Muslims happened on a day when Muslims pray for their dead.
One of the first journalists to reach the scene of the blasts in Malegaon, Vaishali Balajiwale, told the BBC that the explosion inside the town's main burial ground for Muslims happened on a day when Muslims pray for their dead.
One eyewitness told her: "There was a big noise when the prayers were on. And then people began running helter skelter for their lives."
One eyewitness told her: "There was a big noise when the prayers were on. And then people began running helter skelter for their lives."
She said a huge congregation was expected at the burial ground later on Friday night.
She said a huge congregation was expected at the burial ground later on Friday night.
Ms Balajiwale said that curfew had been imposed in many parts of the town, including the area where the blasts had taken place.
Ms Balajiwale said that curfew had been imposed in many parts of the town, including the area where the blasts had taken place.
"In other places, there are people on the streets, very agitated about the incident. They are insisting that there have been four blasts, but there is no official confirmation of this."
"In other places, there are people on the streets, very agitated about the incident. They are insisting that there have been four blasts, but there is no official confirmation of this."
Police 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.
Police 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.
Appeal for peace
Appeal for peace
Earlier, the police said, angry crowds had pelted police with stones after the blast.
Earlier, the police said, angry crowds had pelted police with stones after the blast.
India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has strongly condemned the blasts.
India's Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has strongly condemned the blasts.
He has appealed for peace and communal harmony and has urged police to remain calm.
He has appealed for peace and communal harmony and has urged police to remain calm.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said the government would firmly deal with those responsible.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil has said 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.
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.
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.
