Roman Gays Attacked

(Rome, Italy) It's not clear who is behind the anti-gay violence.

There was widespread panic when two letter bombs were thrown at a bar in a gay neighbourhood in the centre of the Italian capital Rome late Tuesday in an escalation of anti-gay violence. Italian media reports said the explosive devices were thrown from two motorcycles.

Several people were injured in the attack, and one was taken to nearby San Giovanni Hospital for aid.

"It all happened very quickly unleashing panic in the streets. There were people screaming and running everywhere," said the president of Italy's national gay rights organisation, Arcigay, Fabrizio Marrazzo, quoted by Italian media.

Several incidents of violence against gays have occurred in recent weeks.