Thaindian News

VARANASI, INDIA (BNO NEWS) — An explosion on Tuesday caused the death of one person and injured at least 25 more in the Buddhist holy city of Varanasi in northern India during evening prayers, local media reported.

The blast took place at around 6:20 p.m. local time and struck a crowded bathing ghat on the banks of River Ganga. The explosion killed a two-year old girl and injured 25 individuals, including two foreigners.

The terror attack was claimed by the Indian Mujahideen (IM) in e-mails sent to media in which they said that the blast was in retaliation for the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992. The blast also caused a stampede were some people were injured.

The only fatality was identified as Sarita Sharma, a two-year-old girl, who was with her mother during the prayers. It was not disclosed if she was injured due to the blast or the stampede but she died at Marwari hospital shortly after the explosion.

The two foreigners injured are an Italian and a French national. At the moment of the attack, there were thousands of devotees and tourists. The crowd gathered at the Dashashwamedh ghat for having darshan of the Ganga Arti ritual.

Preliminary reports indicate that the blast was caused by an explosive package left on the stairs of the ghat. Authorities said that 30 to 35 persons may have been injured. The wounded were transported to district hospitals.

Authorities said that the blast was of medium intensity but caused the collapse of the railing. Some people were injured as an stampede occurred after the collapse and other were hit by falling debris.

An improvised explosive device was recovered from the site where the blast took place. The explosion also shook some nearby building without causing any damage to them.