Explosion hits Rangoon on anniversary of protests

An explosion has hit the Burmese city of Rangoon

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Thursday, 25, Sep 2008 08:45

An explosion has hit the Burmese city of Rangoon, local officials have confirmed.

At least three people are known to have been injured in Thursday's blast which occurred outside the city hall and came on the anniversary of the junta's crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

Riot police are reported to have sealed the area off immediately, adding to the already tightened security presence in place in the city.

"It seems to have been a small bomb, but we are still carrying out investigations," a police official told the Reuters news agency.

The Burmese junta sparked international outrage last year when troops clashed with thousands of Buddhist monks and their supporters.

At least 31 people are thought to have died during the demonstrations after Burma's government launched a complete crackdown on the protests.