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Official: Iran explosion caused by accident not attack

The explosion in a mosque in Iran that killed at least 10 people was caused by an accident and not an attack, a senior Interior Ministry official said on Sunday.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 13:44 April 13, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • A man cares for his mother as she rests in the Namazee hospital recovering from injuries sustained after an explosion in a mosque in Shiraz, 895km south of Tehran, on Sunday.
  • Image Credit: Reuters
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Tehran: The explosion in a mosque in Iran that killed at least 10 people was caused by an accident and not an attack, a senior Interior Ministry official said on Sunday.

Contradicting earlier media reports, official IRNA news agency quoted the deputy interior minister in charge of national security as saying: “Last night's explosion in Shiraz was as a consequence of an accident and not the planting of a bomb.''

Details were not released but state Press TV television said the blast may have been "caused by explosives left behind from an earlier exhibition commemorating" the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war.

Fars News Agency also quoted commander of security forces in the southern Fars province as saying: "Based on the initial evaluation, the Saturday night explosion ... has not been intentional or sabotage.''

"The cause of the incident was probably laxness since a defence fair was held at this place some time ago. There is a possibility that the remaining ammunition at this place was the factor behind this explosion," he added.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman said the investigation was continuing, stressing that no pre-judgement should be made.


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