Death toll in Philippine explosion could reach 30

At least 19 people were killed and 114 people were wounded in a southern Philippines airport blast, and reports said the death…

At least 19 people were killed and 114 people were wounded in a southern Philippines airport blast, and reports said the death toll could climb to 30.

Radio station DXDC put the death toll at 30, without giving a source for the figure, which officials could not confirm.

A powerful bomb tore through a waiting shed at the Davao City international airport at about 5.15 p.m. (9.15 Irish time); another explosion hit a bus terminal at the city. There were no reports of injuries in the second blast.

Television footage showed medical teams carting away dozens of wounded victims with fully armed troops on guard.

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Many of the victims were shown with hastily applied bandages, and teams of nurses and doctors were seen in packed emergency rooms attending to the wounded.

The US embassy in Manila said one American had died after being severely wounded by the blast.

US President George W. Bush condemned the bombing nd promised to work "shoulder to shoulder" with the Philippine government to hunt down those responsible.

AFP