Chaos in Mecca mosque as people rush out in panic

HYDERABAD: Chaotic scenes were witnessed at the historic Mecca mosque in the old city here as thousands of panic-stricken worshippers rushed out after a powerful explosion rocked its premises.

Several of those injured in the blast, some of them bleeding profusely, were taken away in whatever mode of transport available.

Emotions ran high as the devouts shouted slogans accusing police of arriving late on the scene and pelted stones at hem. Shops in the vicinity also became a target of the angry crowd.

Police had to resort to using tear gas and batons on the angry crowd to control the situation. Rapid Action Force (RAF) was rushed to the area where a large number of curious onlookers had descended.

Later, the security personnel cordoned off the area not allowing within one km of the mosque and a three-tier security ring was thrown around around it.

At least five persons were killed and several injured when a powerful bomb exploded during Friday prayers at the historic mosque in the Charminar area of the city. The 300-year-old mosque is considered sacred by Muslims in and outside the state.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) has been deployed to maintain law and order in the communally-sensitive area, where shops and other establishments immediately downed their shutters.