A suicide bombing that may have targeted Christians celebrating Easter in a park in Lahore, Pakistan, killed at least 69 people and wounded hundreds, Pakistani officials said Sunday.
A bomb exploded near children’s rides in Gulshan-e-Iqbal park in Lahore, a large city in Eastern Pakistan, local police chief Haider Ashraf told the Associated Press.
“Most of the dead and injured are women and children,” Mustansar Feroz, the police superintendent for the area in which the park is located said, according to NBC News.
“The United States condemns in the strongest terms today’s appalling terrorist attack in Lahore, Pakistan,” White House National Security Council spokesman Ned Price said in a statement Sunday. “This cowardly act in what has long been a scenic and placid park has killed dozens of innocent civilians and left scores injured. We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed, just as our thoughts and prayers are with the many injured in the explosion.”
“The United States stands with the people and government of Pakistan at this difficult hour,” Price said. “We will continue to work with our partners in Pakistan and across the region, as together we will be unyielding in our efforts to root out the scourge of terrorism.
Ashraf said the explosion appeared to have been a suicide bombing. Investigations were ongoing. Police officials have reportedly recovered the suicide bomber’s body. He seems to be between 25 and 30 years old, reports said.
Many of the injured are in a critical condition, a health adviser to the chief minister of Punjab province told the AP.
The area was crowded with Christians celebrating the Easter holidays, according to reports.
Ashraf there was an unusual rush of the people in the park due to the weekend and Easter. He said a large number of local Christians celebrating the holy day were present in the park.
“We are in a warlike situation and there is always a general threat but no specific threat alert was received for this place,” he said, noting the park was manned by police guards and private security guards.
Footage Pakistani television stations showed chaotic scenes in the park, with people running while carrying children and cradling the wounded in their laps, reports noted.
