Archive for the ‘Series bomb’ Category
Series bomb
Terrorism threat?
A series of bomb explosions in Ukraine added to the tensions. Four bombs left in trash cans in various locations in Dnipropetrovsk, an industrial center of over one million inhabitants in eastern Ukraine, exploded in quick succession around midday on Friday, injuring 30 people, including 11 children.
Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovich promised a swift probe into the blasts, which the country’s prosecutors said were an “act of terrorism”.
Polish president Bronisław Komorowski voiced worries for the football championship his country is co-hosting with Ukraine.
“Of course this causes concern, including in Poland because of the approaching Euro 2012 tournament, [about] a worsening atmosphere… in a country with which we are organising this great sporting event,” Komorowski said, as reported by the Voice of Warsaw.
Poland’s Internal Security Agency said that for now it was not recommending that the authorities in Warsaw should warn of an increased level of terrorist threat. It added in a statement that “there is no reason to link the attacks on Ukraine with the current level of terrorist threat to Poland.”
Media in Poland have speculated that the explosions may have been the work of feuding criminal gangs.
Ukrainian soccer federation chief Hryhory Surkis said that those who planted the bombs were “accomplices to an attack on the image of our country ahead of Euro 2012.” Euro 2012 matches will not be played in Dnipropetrovsk itself.
UEFA, European soccer’s governing body, said it remained confident that security measures taken by Ukraine would ensure a “smooth and festive” tournament, despite the bomb blasts.