Bangladesh cinema bombing toll rises

The death toll from the cinema bombings in northern Bangladesh has risen to 18.

Doctors are struggling to treat more than 200 people injured in explosions at four cinemas.

Medical workers have reported a shortage of blood and medicine to treat the casualties.

They say the death toll could rise because some of the wounded are in a critical condition.

Authorities have deployed troops to boost security after the blasts at Mymensingh town, 70 miles north of the capital Dhaka.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has expressed shock at the bombings and conveyed sympathy to the victims' families, her office said. She has ordered an investigation.

The bombs went off within 30 minutes of each other starting at about 6pm yesterday. Police say they were believed to have been planted in the cinemas' projection rooms, police said.

Many victims were injured by falling bricks or steel.

The cinemas were crowded with people celebrating Eid-al-Fitr, the Islamic festival marking the end of Ramadan.

About 3,000 people were believed to be in or near the theatres when the explosions took place.