Seven passengers killed, 62 wounded in Sri Lanka train blast

Colombo, May 26 (UNI) Seven passengers were killed and more than 60 wounded when a powerful bomb exploded inside a packed train at Dehiwela here this evening.

''Seven civilians, including a pregnant woman, were killed and 62 other passengers suffered injuries when LTTE terrorists exploded a bomb inside the highly crowded Colombo-Panadura train around 1655 hrs (local time) today,'' the Defence Ministry said.

It said the explosion occurred inside the fifth carriage of the Panadura-bound train which leaves the Maradana railway station in Colombo at around 1625 hrs.

''The injured were rushed to the Kalubowila National Teaching Hospital, Colombo,'' the Ministry said.

Police and military personnel have cordoned off the area and launched extensive search operations.

UNI XC SKB AS1929