Police are working on the assumption that the explosion was caused deliberately but that there are no indications it was a terrorist incident.
Highlights
- A masked man reportedly fled the spot after the explosion, say cops
- Explosion blew out several windows; one of the injured critical
- No indications of a terrorist incident but caused deliberately: Police
German police say three people have been injured in an apparently deliberate explosion at a Gurudwara in the western city of Essen.
A spokesman for Essen police told The Associated Press that a masked person is reported to have fled the scene shortly after the blast at 7 pm on Saturday (1700 GMT). Spokesman Lars Lindemann said the explosion was "quite violent," blowing out several windows. One of the injured was said to be in a serious condition.
The Ministry of External Affairs expressed concern over the issue. The ministry tweeted from its official handle:
Lindemann says police are working on the assumption that the explosion was caused deliberately but that there are no indications it was a terrorist incident. He says the gurudwara had hosted a wedding earlier in the day and those injured are believed to have been among the guests.