The Easter Sunday suicide bomb attack in a park in Pakistan has left at least 72 people dead, many of them believed to be children.
The Taliban splinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has claimed responsibility for the attack in Lahore, the largest city in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province. The bombers said they were targeting families celebrating Easter.
Pakistan’s prime minister Nawaz Sharif has promised “swift action” against those responsible.
Meanwhile, the regional government in Lahore has announced three days of mourning, with more than half of the victims reported to be women and young children.
Al menos 72 muertos en atentado suicida en un parque en Pakistán https://t.co/yVa1yC9h9n pic.twitter.com/eOZUMdBPS5
— Diario La R (@diariolaruy) March 28, 2016
Confusion escalated on Sunday as thousands of Facebook users worldwide were alerted via an urgent message from Facebook suggesting that they were in Lahore and asking if they were OK.
I am not in Lahore, Facebook. pic.twitter.com/cqKfYGB6Sl
— Left Outside (@leftoutside) March 27, 2016
Meanwhile, actual Lahore residents crowded several downtown hospitals to donate blood to victims of the blast. A local ride-sharing company, Careem, began offering free rides to hospital for passengers wishing to help.
David Cameron and Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai were among those leading tributes to the victims of the attack.
PM: I'm shocked by the terrorist attack in Lahore. My thoughts are with the families & friends of the victims. We'll do what we can to help.
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) March 27, 2016
Malala's statement on the tragic #LahoreBlast today. pic.twitter.com/2xrSoGK6Yq
— Malala Fund (@MalalaFund) March 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/mak_asif/status/714427540430045184
https://twitter.com/BurcuEkennn/status/714433948944900096?lang=en-gb
Terrible situation .. I was there only a month ago and had an amazing time with beautiful people #PrayForPakistan pic.twitter.com/BurzabflOs
— diplo (@diplo) March 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/TheCWW/status/714281166254317569
Thank you to the world for sending prayers to #Pakistan We are indeed grateful & committing in making world safe pic.twitter.com/Ih0TfEZlzE
— Dr Farhan K Virk (@FarhanKVirk) March 27, 2016
