A reported suicide bombing killed dozens in Lahore, Pakistan on Sunday evening.
AFP reports that local officials say 72 people were killed, and over 200 injured. The New York Times quoted local rescue workers and officials saying 69 people had died, and over 300 were wounded.
VIDEO: Blood stains the ground of public park after Easter Sunday bombing in Lahore, Pakistan: https://t.co/mJ6hID3tz2
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 27, 2016
#Pakistan: 52 killed, +150 injured (acc @rabiaAnumm) after suicide attack in crowded #Lahore park. https://t.co/YipmMDXyzj Pix @FIFPakistan1
— José Miguel Sardo (@jmsardo) March 27, 2016
The explosion happened near children’s swings in Gulshan-e-Iqbal park where Christian families were celebrating Easter. Many families were leaving when the reported bomb went off, according to local police chief Haider Ashraf.
Police superintendent Mustansar Feroz said most of the dead were women and children.
At Jinnah Hospital, a medical superintendent who gave his name only as Dr. Ashraf told AFP most of the 200 injured are in critical condition.
Scenes of chaos at Jinnah hospital here in #Lahore – distressed family members looking for relatives #LahoreBlast pic.twitter.com/N5RHA93C5O
— shaimaa khalil BBC (@Shaimaakhalil) March 27, 2016
According to Reuters, the Taliban faction Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has claimed responsibility for the attack. It says that Christians were targeted specifically.
These claims have not been confirmed.
.@dawn_com : Blast was outside the exit gate of Gulshan-i-Iqbal Park #Lahore – a few metres away from the children's swing area #Pakistan
— Shaista Aziz (@shaistaAziz) March 27, 2016
Parents have lost children today, Christian community was commemorating Easter Sunday at the Gulshan Iqbal Park: Parveen Masih, eye witness
— Arooj Zahra (@ArooojZahra) March 27, 2016
Image: Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images
