Blast outside Sri Lankan capital kills 16 people

A bomb believed to be planted by LTTE explodes outside a clothing store on the outskirts of Colombo.

At least 16 people were killed and 24 injured when a bomb believed to be planted by Tamil rebels exploded on Wednesday outside a clothing store on the outskirts of the Sri Lankan capital, officials said.

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"Sixteen people were brought in dead and at least 24 have been injured," the spokeswoman at Kalubowila Hospital, located near where the explosion took place, told AFP by telephone.

A bus caught fire as a result of the explosion, the defence ministry said, and the hospital spokeswoman said more casualties were feared.

"According to the available information the bomb has been exploded at the Nugegoda Junction... and a bus has caught fire after the attack," the defence ministry said in a statement, blaming the attack on Tamil Tiger rebels.