7 Killed, 40 Hurt by Bomb Blast at Philippine Cemetery

A bomb exploded today at a cemetery as hundreds of people were visiting on All Saints’ Day. At least seven people were killed and about 40 wounded, police said.

No one claimed responsibility for the blast, which occurred at 7 p.m. during a power blackout at the Roman Catholic cemetery in the town of Talisay, 360 miles southeast of Manila.

Among the fatalities were a 70-year-old woman and an 8-year-old girl, according to Police Officer Reynaldo Vitualia. He said some of the injured were in critical condition.

Police at first said a grenade went off, but Vitualia said another type of explosive blew up.

“Many witnesses said that before the explosion, they saw a fiery object flying over the (cemetery’s) concrete wall,” Vitualia said by telephone.

He said the device landed and exploded on impact at the base of a giant cross where dozens of people were praying.