A car bomb exploded near Algiers' main police station Monday, killing at least 20 people, security forces said. It was the worst bombing of the three-year insurgency by Islamic militants.
More than 30 people were injured by the bomb, which blew a crater in the sidewalk nearly two yards wide and more than 20 inches deep, witnesses said.The car carrying the bomb was destroyed, and thick smoke rose from other burning cars nearby. Windows of surrounding buildings were shattered. People bloodied by flying glass ran frantically through the street.
Security forces cordoned off the area where the blast occurred. Sporadic automatic gunfire was heard shortly after the explosion.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Bombs have increasingly been used in the Islamic extremists' campaign against the military-backed government.
The attack came after fundamentalists from the Islamic Salvation Army urged followers to intensify attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins this week.
The fighting has left more than 15,000 people dead.