Metro blast kills 11 in Belarus capital

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko at the blast site inside the Oktyabrskaya subway station in Belarus capital, Minsk, on April 11, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/174279.html

At least 11 people have been killed and more than 100 injured by an explosion in a subway station near Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's office in Minsk.

Smoke was seen rising from the Oktyabrskaya metro station in the city center on Monday and casualties were being taken out to the surface, AFP reported.

"Eleven people died as a result of the explosion," Interfax quoted Lukashenko as saying.

The Belarusian president blamed anonymous political opponents for the deadly incident in an emergency security session.

"I warned you that they won't let us live a calm life," said Lukashenko. "We have been presented with a serious challenge. We need an adequate response -- and it must be found."

While he said he could not rule out a foreign hand in the attacks, Lukashenko added, "I do not exclude that this is a present from abroad but we must look at home too."

The blast came amid severe economic conditions that have made the Belarusian government execute partial currency devaluation.