Twin bomb blasts near Indian para-badminton team's hotel in Uganda

Multiple bomb blasts have taken place nearby a hotel where the Indian para-badminton team is staying in Kampala, Uganda. While multiple causalities are being reported from the city, the Indian shuttlers are said to be safe.

The blasts are reported to have occurred just 100 meters away from the hotel the Indian team is staying.

"Few players were leaving for the badminton hall when there was this blast. It led to lot of choas on the street. We also immediately went back but now things are fine. We have spoken to the embassy and there is nothing to worry," Khanna told PTI.

"It won't have any affect on our schedule and the tournament also goes on. We have a big contingent, including 54 players who are competing in the tournament." According to local police, it was a coordinated attack by extremists and three suicide bombers died in the blasts.

Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Pramod Bhagat, who is part of the Indian contingent, participating in the tournament also said they are safe and there was nothing to worry. "We are safe. There was a blast. Nothing to worry. It has not affected our schedule. We didn't feel it much. There was little chaos but everyone is safe and the tournament will go on as schedule," Bhagat, who will open his campaign on Wednesday, told PTI.

"We are 15 Indians players in our hotel, there are 15-20 players in another hotel too but all are safe." The Para-Badminton India took to social media to inform about the players' safety. "Indian Team is Safe! There is multiple Bomb Blast 100 mtr away from the official Hotel," it tweeted. The event will end on November 21.

The Indian para-badminton team comprising of the likes of Tokyo Paralympics medallists Pramod Bhagat, Manoj Sarkar and others had travelled to Uganda and reached Kampala a couple of days ago to compete at the Uganda Para-Badminton International 2021.