Bomb explosion in Nepal church kills 2, wounds 15
05/23/2009 | 02:30 PM
KATMANDU, Nepal — A bomb exploded in a church in the Nepalese capital during Saturday morning mass, killing two people and wounding 15, police said.
The explosion at the Church of the Assumption in Katmandu killed a 14-year-old girl and a 30-year-old woman, said police official Prabhakar Pudasini. The girl was identified as a high school student from Betiah town in India.
Police confirmed the explosive device was a bomb left at the church and were investigating the attack.
No groups have claimed responsibility. It was the first such attack on a Christian church in Nepal where most of the population are Hindus and Buddhists.
The attack came just hours before the parliament elects a new prime minister. There has been weeks of political instability in Nepal and the election of a new prime minister is expected to ease the tension.
An eyewitness who was attending the service said a bag — which appeared to be filled with books — was left lying on the floor.
"Someone moved the bag to make some space and it just exploded with a loud noise," said Sunamaya Budathoki, adding that the mass was attended by at least 150 people.
Churches in Nepal hold mass on Saturdays because it is public holiday when schools and offices are closed. Sundays are working days. - AP
The explosion at the Church of the Assumption in Katmandu killed a 14-year-old girl and a 30-year-old woman, said police official Prabhakar Pudasini. The girl was identified as a high school student from Betiah town in India.
Police confirmed the explosive device was a bomb left at the church and were investigating the attack.
No groups have claimed responsibility. It was the first such attack on a Christian church in Nepal where most of the population are Hindus and Buddhists.
The attack came just hours before the parliament elects a new prime minister. There has been weeks of political instability in Nepal and the election of a new prime minister is expected to ease the tension.
An eyewitness who was attending the service said a bag — which appeared to be filled with books — was left lying on the floor.
"Someone moved the bag to make some space and it just exploded with a loud noise," said Sunamaya Budathoki, adding that the mass was attended by at least 150 people.
Churches in Nepal hold mass on Saturdays because it is public holiday when schools and offices are closed. Sundays are working days. - AP
