John Concepcion - AHN News Writer
Makati City, Philippines (AHN) - An explosion rocked a mall located in the heart of the Philippines' financial district Friday, leaving eight people dead and scores injured.
Around 90 people, mostly children, have been taken to two hospitals in Makati City after the afternoon blast at the posh Glorietta 2 shopping Mall located along Ayala Avenue, the heart of Makati City's business district.
According to authorities, the explosion occurred at around 1:30 p.m. Manila time, which was earlier traced to a liquefied petroleum gas tank. However, the police are now considering the angle that what exploded was a bomb.
Initial investigation showed that the explosion occurred in the Luk Yuen Noodle House at the first level of the shopping mall, according to Police Director Geary Barias, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
However, other witness accounts say the bridge way which connects the Mall to another shopping mall sustained heavy damage.
Up until press time, search and rescue operations have been launched as some people may still be buried under the rubble where the explosion occurred.
One of the hospitals where the fatalities and the injured were taken is the Makati Medical Center, which now houses some 42 people injured from the blast.
Alfie Reyes, a spokesman of mall owner Ayala Land, said, "We will extend assistance to all of the victims and if any of their families wish to reach out to us we will do so (and help them)."
In a press conference, police chief Avelino Razon said the explosion in the mall was "probably caused by a bomb" and not a gas leak as earlier reported.
He said, "This was a bomb. But beyond that we can't say anything else yet because we are still investigating. What I can say is it was not LPG that caused this."
He also said there is still no proof that the explosion was a terror attack.
The city and the international airport is now under a general alert.
President Gloria Arroyo was reportedly on her way to the hospitals to check on those injured.
Just spoke to my girlfriend in the Phils and shes says there are rumours that the president is behind the bombing as she is trying to bring about martial law
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