Libya Police Camp Explosion: Blast Kills At Least 40, Injures Up To 100

UPDATE: 6:40 a.m. EST -- At least 65 people were reportedly killed Thursday in a blast at a police training center in Libya’s coastal city of Zliten, Reuters reported, citing local officials and hospital sources.

The bombing is said to be one of the deadliest attack since Islamic militants expanded their presence in the country after Muammar Gaddafi’s ouster in 2011.

Original story:

At least 40 people were reportedly killed in an explosion Thursday at a police training center in Libya’s coastal city of Zliten, about 100 miles from the capital Tripoli, reports said, citing a city official. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Up to 100 people are also said to have been injured in the blast, which occurred after a truck containing explosives crashed into the Libyan Interior Ministry training camp, Russia Today reported, citing the city’s mayor.

Al Arabiya reported that the injured were taken to a local hospital in the nearby city of Misrata for treatment. The camp reportedly accommodates up to 400 trainees.

According to a BBC report, which cited U.N. Special Representative to Libya Martin Kobler, the attack was a suicide attempt conducted while hundreds of recruits were performing morning exercises outside.