Blast injures 8 in S. Italy

A plotted blast injured eight young people, with three in serious condition, in a recreation room in southern Italy, local media reported Thursday.

The blast occurred on Wednesday night in Altamura, a city in the Puglia region, and completely destroyed the recreation room, local newspaper Corriere del Mezzogiorno quoted firefighters as saying.

Two of the wounded got serious injuries, while another one was in critical condition with a splinter in his cranium.

Police said preliminary investigation showed that there could be a mafia organization behind the incident.

The explosion was caused by a handmade bomb created with gunpowder and weighing more than one kilogram, which had been placed on a windowsill of the room, according to the police.

Corriere del Mezzogiorno reported that dozens of people poured out into the streets following the blast. Many burst into tears as ambulances and helicopters were coming and going transporting the injured.

"It looked like a war scene," a firefighter was cited as saying. "There were pieces of glass everywhere, and those injured were asking for help while being rescued. I saw a youngster in a sea of blood, laying on the floor. It was a terrible scene." Endi