Ukraine serial bomb blasts raise fears over threat to Euro 2012 tournament

Kiev, Apr 28 (ANI): The series of coordinated terrorist attacks which led to four bombs being detonated in Ukraine has raised fears that the Euro 2012 football tournament scheduled to take place in June might be targeted.

As per reports, about 27 people were injured when the devices, which were planted in rubbish bins, exploded at short intervals in the city of Dnipropetrovsk.

Ukraine is preparing to co-host the European Championships with Poland this summer, with England's first group stage match against France to be held on June 11 at the Donbass Arena in Donetsk.

'The bombs were a challenge to the whole country," the Daily Mail quoted Ukraine President, Viktor Yanukovich, as saying.

According to reports, the first blast occurred at a tram stop injuring 13 people, while second explosion came 30 minutes later next to a cinema, injuring 11 people, nine of which were children.

The third blast followed shortly afterwards next to a park, injuring 2 people. However, it was unclear whether there were any injuries from the fourth explosion which took place in the downtown area.

The Ukrainian police claimed that the blasts had been caused by explosive devices planted in trash bins, but no one has yet been detained.

Although authorities offered no immediate explanation of any motive or said who they thought could be behind the bombs, the prosecutor general's office said it had launched a criminal case classifying the blasts as an 'act of terrorism'. (ANI)