Seven Killed in Minsk Rush-Hour Subway Explosion

[cali]

By JAMES MARSON

At least seven people were killed and more than 30 injured when an explosion ripped through a subway station in the heart of the Belarussian capital during evening rush hour Monday, according to the former Soviet republic's official news agency.

The blast sent heavy smoke and panicked and injured passengers pouring from the entrance to the Oktyabrskaya metro station in downtown Minsk, roughly 160 yards from the offices of Belarus's authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko.

Authorities had no immediate comment on the cause of the 6 p.m. explosion. Political tensions have mounted in Belarus since disputed presidential elections in December, in which Mr. Lukashenko was declared the victor. The vote was followed by a major crackdown on dissent.

Minsk, with a heavy security presence, is usually peaceful, and the political opposition nonviolent. In July 2008, 50 people were injured when a bomb went off at a concert that Mr. Lukashenko attended. Police announced no arrests in that case.

<snip>

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703841904576257034035459582.html