An update on this story. ” Officials: Deadly blasts in southern India were acts of terror,” from CNN:
NEW DELHI, India (CNN) — The death toll continued to rise in southern India, where two blasts Saturday night killed at least 41 people in Hyderabad in what authorities are calling terrorists attacks.
More than 60 people were wounded, several critically, police said.
But the carnage could have been worse.
Authorities also found explosives at 16 other locations in and near Hyderabad, said Y.S.R. Reddy, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state.
Security was beefed up at the airport and railroads after police said the almost simultaneous blasts were coordinated attacks.
“This is definitely terrorist activity,” Reddy said, urging everyone to stay calm. He scheduled a Cabinet meeting Sunday morning to discuss the incidents.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh issued a statement expressing deep concern over the violence.
One explosion, suspected to have been a bomb, occurred as a laser music show was to begin at an outdoor auditorium in Lumbini Park after 7:30 p.m. (10 a.m. ET).
About 500 people were in the audience when the blast ripped through the middle row of seats, Reddy said.