Belarus bomb explosion wounds more than 50

The blast was unusual in the tightly controlled former Soviet republic, where President Alexander Lukashenko harshly suppresses dissent and public violence is rare. Officials blamed unspecified "hooligans" for the bombing.

Lukashenko was not wounded in the blast, and it was unclear if the attack was an assassination attempt. There were no reported claims of responsibility.

The blast hit about 12:30 a.m. at the soaring Hero City memorial, a World War II monument in central Minsk, where thousands had gathered for the Independence Day concert.

Police later found an unexploded homemade bomb in the area, also packed with hardware, Interior Minister Vladimir Naumov said.

"It was an action by hooligans," said Minsk police department spokesman Alexander Lastovsky.

Dmitry Kudyakov, a 32-year old engineer at the concert, said he felt a strong shock wave and saw smoke.

"People started crying," he said. "Some fell on me and there was a lot of blood."

Lastovsky said more than 20 people were hospitalized, but the Health Ministry put that number at more than 50.

Viktor Sirenko, chief doctor of the city's Emergency Hospital, said three people were in grave condition. "We are struggling to save their lives," he said.