7 Hurt in Pakistan Car Bomb Explosions

AP ^ | 5/26/04 | AFZAL NADEEM

[TexKat]

KARACHI, Pakistan - Two cars exploded minutes apart Wednesday outside the American cultural center in the southern city of Karachi, wounding at least seven people, police and witnesses said.

A bomb planted in the first car detonated outside the gate of the Pakistan-American Cultural Center, and one injured person was sent to the hospital, said Ghulam Mohammed Dogar, senior superintendent of city police.

Minutes later, a second car parked nearby exploded, billowing fire and smoke. Wreckage from the car flew in the air and hit bystanders, and an Associated Press reporter at the scene saw three photographers and three policemen being taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

Firefighters were trying to extinguish the fire.

After the first explosion, police sealed off the area as bomb disposal experts arrived to examine the wreckage. The second blast damaged the outer wall of the cultural center, but the building itself was undamaged.

The bomb experts were checking a third car parked a few yards from the cultural center.

Pakistani students were taking English language classes inside the center at the time of the first explosion. They were asked to stay inside, and there were no immediate reports that any were hurt.

The center is close to the residence of the American consul general in Karachi.

Karachi, Pakistan's biggest city and its main port, has been a target of bombings and terror attacks in the past. On Tuesday, a package bomb exploded at a checkpoint in the port area, killing two people and wounding five.

Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl was kidnapped and murdered in Karachi in January 2002. Later that year, a suicide attack outside a Karachi hotel killed 11 French engineers, and a suicide bombing killed 12 people outside the U.S. Consulate. Islamic militants were blamed for both bombings.

[TexKat]

Two cars burn in flames after they exploded minutes apart outside the Pakistan-American cultural center, in Karachi, Pakistan Wednesday, May 26, 2004, according to police and witnesses. (AP Photo/Mohammad Ali)

A wounded photographer is helped by colleagues after a bomb blast in Karachi, May 26, 2004. At least 17 people were wounded on Wednesday when two car bombs exploded outside the Pakistan-American Culture Center in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, a witness said. REUTERS/Zahid Hussein

Pakistani policemen remove a wounded colleague after a bomb blast in Karachi May 26, 2004. At least 17 people were wounded Wednesday when two car bombs exploded outside the Pakistan-American Cultural Center a Reuters witness said. The explosions, less than 15 minutes apart, took place about 100 yards from the residence of the U.S. consul and about 200 yards from the U.S. consulate, which was the scene of a bloody car bomb attack by Islamic militants in 2002. (Zahid Hussein/Reuters)

[squarebarb]

Yes sir! That's how to convert people to Islam! These fotos make me want to rush out and join right up for a better life.

[TexKat]

A photographer runs away from a burning vehicle after bomb blasts in Karachi May 26, 2004. One policeman was killed and 30 people were wounded on Wednesday when two car bombs exploded outside the Pakistan-American Culture Center in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, officials and witnesses said. REUTERS/Zahid Hussein