COLOMBO: At least 21 people were killed and over 50 injured on Friday when a claymore mine explosion set off by suspected LTTE militants ripped apart a packed bus during the morning rush hour in south of Sri Lankan capital.

The public transport bus, which was on its way to Mount Lavinia, was passing through a green belt when the roadside bomb went off at 7.35 A.M, at Katubadda in Moratuwa, about 12 kms from here.

"Twenty-one passengers were killed in the explosion. Eight of the dead were women," a military spokesman said, adding they suspected the hand of the Tamil Tigers in the explosion.

Blood splattered objects and glass splinters were scattered near the mangled bus. Police teams cordoned the site and and fanned out over the area to bring the situation under control.

Forensic experts were also scouring the site for clues while ambulances were rushing through the crowed streets carrying the injured to hospitals.

According to the defence sources, the roadside bomb was placed at a location between Shailabimbaramya Buddhist temple and the University of Moratuwa.

The bus was travelling from Kottawa in Moratuwa to Mount Lavinia, about 5 kms from Colombo.

Hospital sources said over 50 people were injured in the blast and they had been rushed to the nearby Teaching Hospital and Base Hospital.

A few victims who suffered severe injuries have been transferred to the National hospital at Colombo.

(Courtesy: Times of India )