Explosion in Varanasi, at least 20 injured

VARANASI: An explosion rocked the holy town of Varanasi here this evening leaving at least 20 including some foreign tourists injured.

ADG Brij Lal said seven persons were injured of which four have been hospitalised. However, eyewitnesses said at least 20 people were injured, which included some foreigners also.

A statewide alert has been sounded, Lal said. Official sources said the blast took place at Dashashwamedh ghat on the bank of the river Ganga at about 6:30 pm.

The blast took place when thousands of devotees and the foreign tourists had assembled at the ghat for having darshan of the Ganga Arti, police sources said.

IG, Varanasi R P Singh said the actual number of the injured and the cause of the blast was being ascertained.

They said a high level meeting is currently on in Lucknow where senior officials are working out a plan to contain any possible tension due to the explosion.

Some people have been injured due to the blast and some others due to the consequent stampede which occurred due to the collapse of the railing.

The UP police has informed us that so far there is no report on death and we are waiting for the details, Secretary (Internal Security) U K Bansal said.