Nail bomb injures 22 in Germany

COLOGNE, Germany - A bomb packed with nails exploded in a shopping street Wednesday, injuring 22 people, police said. Authorities said they had no immediate evidence of a terrorist attack.

The blast shortly before 4 p.m. spewed broken glass and debris along the street in the Muelheim neighborhood, a Turkish area of family shops and three-story residential buildings.

Twisted carpenter's nails littered the street, leading police to conclude that they were part of an explosive device. A wrecked bicycle lay in front of the two most heavily damaged shops, prompting speculation that the bomb might have been on it.

Police said they had no suspects or motive.

"Considering the current evidence, it was a nail bomb," Cologne police spokesman Juergen Goebel told ARD television.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion, and "there is absolutely no indication of a terrorist" connection, police spokesman Wolfgang Beus said.

Twenty-two people were hurt. Four had serious injuries, mostly broken bones.

Police sealed the street and set up a tent over the site before nightfall to preserve evidence.

"We know absolutely nothing about the background" of the blast, police spokeswoman Catherine Maus said.

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright