4 killed in Karachi explosion

ISLAMABAD－Four people were killed and several others injured when a blast happened inside a university in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi on Tuesday, local reports said.

The explosion occurred inside a van parked at the university that caught fire following the blast.

Karachi police confirmed four people had died in the attack, including three Chinese nationals, reported Agence France-Presse.

The nature of the blast has not been determined yet, and police said they have called in a bomb disposal squad to determine whether the incident was a terrorist attack or an accident.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif immediately condemned the attack as "act of terrorism".

"I am deeply grieved on the loss of precious lives including of our Chinese friends in the heinous attack in Karachi today," he tweeted.

"I strongly condemn this cowardly act of terrorism," Sharif said, adding that "the perpetrators will surely be brought to justice".

Pakistan's foreign office also condemned the attack. In a statement, it said: "Pakistan attaches great importance to safety and security of Chinese nationals, projects and institutions in Pakistan."

The identities of the injured people have not been officially confirmed, and the wounded have been taken to a nearby hospital, according to the reports.

Xinhua - Agencies