2 Bombs Explode in Latvian Shopping Center, Injuring 21

Two bombs ripped through crowds of after-work shoppers in Latvia’s capital on Thursday, injuring 21 people and sending bleeding victims staggering into the street.

Shoppers carried out others who had burns, broken limbs and cuts, police and witnesses said. Three people had serious injuries, police said.

The bombs went off minutes apart about 5:30 p.m. at the five-story Centrs shopping center in the heart of Riga’s picturesque, medieval-era old town, police spokesman Krists Leiskalns said.

Among the victims was a top police official, Valdis Pumpers, who suffered minor injuries. Police said they did not believe that he was the target but didn’t know of a motive. There was no warning or claim of responsibility, they said.

Police spokesman Leiskalns said investigators were considering the possibility of a “terrorist attack” or a “business dispute.” He did not elaborate.

There have been dozens of bombings in Riga since Latvia, a former Soviet republic with a population of 2.5 million, gained independence in 1991.

But injuries or deaths have been rare. Police say most of the blasts are the result of mob turf battles or extortion rackets.

Centrs is considered the most popular shopping center in Riga, with dozens of fashion boutiques and specialty shops. The bombs went off in an area where people can check in their bags while they shop, police said.

The Baltic News Service called the explosion the worst since independence.