Deadly bomb shocks southern Italian town

Medical officials say the most seriously injured victim of a high school bomb in southern Italy is fighting for their life in hospital. The bomb killed one student and injured several others.

The blast happened in the town of Brindisi on the Adriatic coast.

Officials say the bomb went off as teenagers were
going into class. They think the bomb was hidden in a backpack and left in a rubbish bin.

The blast came ahead of a major anti-mafia demonstration on Saturday in Brindisi, which is about 500 kilometres from the Italian capital Rome.

Neighbours say the explosion was so strong, it shattered the school windows.

Recently Italy has stepped up security at key government buildings following attacks on tax offices in several cities.

Those incidents have been blamed on the government’s clampdown on tax evasion as part of austerity measures to cut Italy’s deficit.

Police say it is too early to link the incidents.

Saturday’s blast also comes a day before run-off local elections across the country.

Copyright © 2013 euronews