CONSUL BOMBING CARNAGE; 7 Killed in US building attack.

Byline: THOMAS MARTIN

A SUICIDE attacker crashed a car packed with explosives outside the US consulate in Karachi today, killing seven people and injuring at least 45 others.

The massive blast destroyed a dozen vehicles and sent debris flying half a mile.

All those killed were Pakistanis. Witnesses said there were body parts scattered about the scene, including in Bagh Jinnah Park, across the road from the consulate.

Police said the attacker crashed a white car into a police kiosk at the southern end of the consulate at about 11:15am (0615 BST).

A 10ft section of the consulate's thick perimeter wall was destroyed and the nearby Marriott Hotel was also damaged. Windows were shattered in surrounding buildings.

The Interior Ministry said seven people were killed and 45 injured.

A US embassy spokesman in Islamabad said six consulate staff - one US marine and five Pakistani employees - suffered minor injuries when they were hit by flying debris.

Sharif Ajnabi, a private security guard, was sitting in the park across the road from the consulate when the bomb went off.

``I heard a deafening explosion,'' he said. ``There was smoke everywhere. It was not easy to see what was happening across the road.

``Moments later, I saw a man's body flying in the air. He fell near me. He was badly injured. Before we could give him water or medical help, he died.''

Marines closed the entrances to the building and took up protective positions.

Police said body parts found in the park came from the bomber. The other dead included four Pakistani police constables, a male passer-by and an unidentified woman.

CAPTION(S):

BLOODBATH:The wreckage of the car used in the attack on; the US consulate in Karachi