A far-right group has claimed responsibility for an explosion that destroyed one bus and damaged seven others last Thursday, saying they wanted to punish a local coach company because it had transported Roma to a demonstration in Ózd.

However, the company owner, László Áipli, said a mistake had been made as the group probably wanted to cause damage to a Roma entrepreneur who had bought used buses from him a year ago and left his company logo on them.

The Hungarian Arrows Liberation Army claimed responsibility in an e-mail message sent to several editorial offices. They said the entrepreneur in Bács county had driven Roma "marching against Hungarians" to Ózd "and we shall avenge the anti-Hungarian sentiment". Police are investigating.

The same group assumed responsibility for an attack on Secret Services Minister György Szilvásy's holiday home and an operation against a ticket office in the 13th District last year.

The authorities have failed to find any trace of the group for years, Magyar Nemzet writes.

HírTV said a local entrepreneur had indeed driven Roma to a demonstration in Ózd in buses with the Áipli logo.

The explosion caused damage estimated at Ft 50 million. No one was injured.