Explosion Outside US Consulate in Karachi - 2002-06-14

Following the explosion of a car packed with explosives outside the US consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, the US Department of State closed its diplomatic offices in the country. The blast resulted in 11 deaths and at least 40 injuries. Ari Fleischer, the White House spokesman, condemned the explosion, stating that it demonstrates terrorists will use any means available to harm Americans and others. The explosion, which occurred around noon, created a hole in the reinforced concrete wall surrounding the US consulate in Karachi and damaged the consulate building and other nearby structures. Several vehicles parked near the explosion site were destroyed. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing. However, Pakistani police suggest that the explosion was likely a suicide attack and are investigating a claim by an unknown Islamic group that it was responsible for the bombing on Friday outside the US consulate in Karachi. In a statement attributed to the organization Al-Qanon, it was claimed that the apparent suicide attack on Friday was the first action of this organization against the US and the Pakistani government. In that attack, 11 people were killed and dozens were injured. The US consulate and surrounding buildings were damaged, and vehicles parked near the explosion site were destroyed. US State Department officials stated that all US diplomatic offices in Pakistan would be closed by the end of Sunday.