At least 10 people were killed and 16 wounded when a bomb exploded during a Sunday service at a Roman Catholic church in Bangladesh, police said today. It was believed to be the first bombing of a church in the overwhelmingly Muslim country. Police said nine people died at the mission church at Baniarchar in south-western Bangladesh. A tenth victim died in hospital. All were Bangladeshi men.
No group or individual has claimed responsibility for the blast. Police said the bomb was believed to be hidden in a sack kept inside the church and it went off soon after the service began. The blast tore through the corrugated iron roof of the brick-walled church, police said.
Archbishop Michael Rozario of Dhaka condemned the bombing and demanded a proper inquiry. He said: "Such an incident at any prayer place calls for condemnation. I hope authorities will conduct a proper investigation." Jawadul Karim, press secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said Hasina immediately ordered an investigation by army explosive experts.
