Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Eleven Dead, Scores Injured in Belarus Subway Blast

   VOA News  April 11, 2011
   Medics transport a victim of a blast into an ambulance near the metro
   station Oktyabrskaya in central Minsk, April 11, 2011

Photo: Reuters

   Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said Monday 11 people died and
   about 100 were wounded in an explosion that ripped through a crowded
   subway station in the capital, Minsk.
   Officials said the Monday afternoon rush hour blast hit the
   Oktyabrskaya underground station, located in the center of the capital.
   Mr. Lukashenko called an emergency meeting of his Cabinet to discuss
   the situation.
   It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion.
   The station is within 100 meters of the nation's presidential palace
   and Mr. Lukashenko's residence.
   There has been significant political tension in Belarus since Mr.
   Lukashenko won the December 2010 election, a vote that international
   observers said was flawed and led to large local protests.
   Mr. Lukashenko has since launched a brutal crackdown on all opposition
   figures, as well as rights activists.

.