Death toll in Karachi twin blasts hits 25

KARACHI: Two bombs exploded in Karachi on Friday, one outside a hospital treating victims from the earlier attack on mourners, leaving 25 dead and hundred of others injured, reported ARY NEWS.

Police appealed for calm following the strikes in Karachi, which took place within two hours of each other.

The chaotic city of 16 million people has a history of religious violence and has been tense in recent weeks due to deadly clashes between rival political parties. In late December, a bomb killed 44 Shiites attending a procession in the city, sparking riots.

The first blast on Friday targeted a bus carrying worshippers, most of them women and children, killing 13 and wounding 49, officials said. The bomb was attached to a motorcycle and detonated as the bus drove to a religious procession held in connection with the Arbaeen holy day that marks the end of 40 days of mourning after the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein (RA).

The second bomb exploded outside the entrance to the emergency ward at Jinnah Hospital, which was packed with victims and relatives of those killed and wounded in the earlier attack. Officials said 12 people were killed and several others were wounded.

In Karachi, Ashfaq Ali survived the bus attack, but lost two sons. He sat on the floor near a pool of blood.

“I will keep sitting here because it is my sons’ blood,” he said, half-wailing. “I want the terrorists to kill me as well.”

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