Seven people died today when a grenade exploded among guests during wedding celebrations in south-eastern Afghanistan.
The official Bakhter news agency said that the accident occurred when guests were letting off "happy fire", loosing rocket-propelled grenades and rifle shots to celebrate the marriage in the Zurmat area of Paktia province.
"Those attending the wedding party started throwing hand-grenades and one of these exploded in the crowd, killing seven and injuring others," Bakhter said.
Weapons fire is a common feature of weddings in Afghanistan, where guns remain a part of everyday life after 23 years of conflict. An ongoing disarmament programme is yet to have any significant effect.
Earlier this year US planes bombed a wedding in the central province of Uruzgan causing heavy casualties when they reportedly mistook celebratory shots for hostile fire.
AFP
