Bomb at prayer meeting kills 32

A powerful bomb exploded during evening prayers at a public park in southern Pakistan today, killing at least 32 people and injuring dozens more, witnesses and a doctor said.

The bomb went off at Nishtar Park in Karachi, the capital of southern Sindh province, as hundreds of people were saying prayers after celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Islam’s Prophet Mohammed, said Mohammed Asif, a witness.

Semi Jamali, a doctor at a nearby hospital, said at least 20 people killed in the blast were brought to the facility, where dozens more were being treated for injuries.

Scenes of mass confusion broke out after the blast, which took place near a stage with large speakers.

Scores of men wearing long white robes clambered onto the stage to assist victims. Police officers fired into the air to disperse the crowd.

People were seen carrying away bloodied blast victims and placing them into ambulances that arrived at the scene with sirens blaring.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack.