No, I wasn't talking to you, but I was quoting your story to make my point.
A pretty big bomb not in direct contact with the ground (such as around someone's waist) won't make a hole --- the blast takes the path of least resistence --- which is up and out.
MOST TELLING, however, is the LACK OF SHRAPNEL.
If this guy planned on killing a bunch of people, he'd have taped nails to the outside of the bomb.