We confirmed 35 deaths in Kano Mosque: Police

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The police in Kano said they have confirmed 35 persons to have died in three explosions that hit the Central Mosque in Kano metropolis on Friday.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Sanusi Lemu, gave the figures when he briefed newsmen in Kano on Friday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

He said 150 persons sustained injuries in the three blasts.

But witnesses and rescue workers inisist the dead are more than 100.

The witnesses said the triple bomb attack was so massive the number of deaths is in hundreds.

Some witnesses, who helped with rescue before police arrived at the scene, said the figures may be as high as 300.

The Central Mosque is one of the biggest worship centres in the city, and is where the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, usually leads the prayers.

The emir was away in Saudi Arabia when the attack occurred.

The blast occurred as the Chief Imam of the Mosque, Sani Zahradeen, was about to start the prayers.

According to witnesses, three bombs exploded before three armed men opened fire at fleeing worshippers who survived the explosion.

The first bomb, which went up outside the Mosque, sent worshipers running in all directions. The blast was then followed rapidly by two huge explosions, witnesses said.