News In Brief

Bomb blast at airport in Madras kills 32 people

Bombs in two suitcases at Madras airport exploded Thursday night, killing 32 people and destroying most of the airport's international section. The suitcases exploded as they were being removed by customs officials who had been warned by three anonymous calls. Police said they were looking for a passenger who had been booked on an Air Lanka flight to Colombo.

Sri Lankan Defense Ministry officials said the explosion was part of a plan by separatist Tamil guerrillas to blow up two Air Lanka jets.