Kabul explosion: Casualties feared as blast targets protest march

[josie andrews]

Hazara protesters were demanding the re-rerouting of a planned power line

At least one explosion has ripped through a protest march in the Afghan capital, Kabul, with casualties feared, officials say.

Police are reportedly ferrying injured to hospital after the blast in Deh Mazang square.

Thousands from the Hazara minority had been marching to demand changes to the route of a planned power line.

They are angry that the planned route bypasses areas with large Hazara populations.

The cause of the explosion remains unclear, although Tolo news cited unconfirmed reports that a suicide bomber had carried out the blast.

A large part of the city centre had been sealed off for the protest march.

The demonstrators had waved banners and chanted "death to discrimination", angry that the 500kV power transmission line from Turkmenistan to Kabul would not pass through Bamyan and Wardak provinces, which have large Hazara populations.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36874570