15 hurt as blast rocks restaurant

AN EXPLOSION caused by an “improvised explosive device” has ripped through an Indian restaurant in the Toronto suburb of Mississauga, wounding 15 people, Canadian police said.

Police said two suspects with their faces covered entered the Bombay Bhel restaurant late on Thursday, dropped the device and fled.

“There is no indication that this is a terrorism act. There is no indication that this is a hate crime at this time. We haven’t ruled anything out as we start our investigation,” said Peel Regional Police Chief Jennifer Evans.

“Every police resource is being used right now to locate the people responsible for this horrendous act.”

Ms Evans said three people suffered critical injuries and were taken to hospital, while the remaining 12 suffered minor and superficial injuries.

Police later updated the condition of the three critically injured patients to stable. The ages of the injured range from 23 to 69.

The explosion happened just after 10.30pm on Thursday, and the plaza where the restaurant is located was still sealed off yesterday.

Television footage showed an injured woman limping away from the restaurant.

“Nothing was said by these individuals,” said Sergeant Matt Bertram. “It appears they just went in, dropped off this device and took off right away.”

Sgt Bertram said authorities could not yet say what the device was.

Rafael Conceicao, a student from Sao Paulo, Brazil, was nearby when the explosion occurred. He said there was a child’s birthday party inside the restaurant at the time.

“Glass was broken in the street. Everything was destroyed. Lots of blood in the floor. Many people were screaming. They were trying to run out from the restaurant,” he said.

Ms Evans said there were two separate parties going and children under the age of 10 were there but were not injured.

Police asked for the public’s help and released a photo of the suspects, both with dark hoodies pulled over their heads and faces covered. Police believe they fled in a car.