Twin blasts hit Afghan ceremony

At least three people were killed and 30 wounded in twin explosions inside a stadium hosting an agricultural show in southern Afghanistan yesterday, officials said.

The blasts happened in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province, as people marked Farmers' Day as part of Persian New Year celebrations, provincial governor spokesman Omar Zhwak told AFP.

People had put their agricultural products on display in the city's main stadium when the explosions happened, said witness Omidullah Zaheer.

Among the wounded were the deputy governor, deputy head of the provincial council, head of the information and the heads of the culture and agricultural departments.

Neither the Taliban nor any other group immediately claimed the blasts.