Mali
A makeshift bomb exploded under a passenger bus travelling in the violence-plagued central Mali region of Mopti on Tuesday, killing at least 14 people and wounding 24, the security minister said.
The vehicle hit the landmine while carrying 60 passengers through an area where ethnic militias regularly kill civilians from rival groups and Islamist militants are also active.
“We have the number of 14 deceased and 24 injured, including seven in a critical state,” said Salif Traore, giving no further comment on the attack or on who might be behind it.
The remote border region where Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger meet has become a haven for jihadist militants, who often launch deadly attacks on U.N., Malian and international troops. Improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been commonly used.
A person at the scene told Reuters his sister and nephew had been on board the vehicle and were killed in the explosion.
“The army is trying to recover bodies from under the bus,” he said, speaking by telephone on condition of anonymity.
REUTERS
01:56
South Sudan struggles to clear mines as 2026 deadline approaches
01:34
World: At least 315,000 grave violations against children in 18 years of conflict
Go to video
USA: sanctions against the head of Wagner in Mali
Go to video
Niger: France is testing its new military approach in Africa
02:15
Africa’s Cannes moment explained by Malian film director
01:52
Malians promised referendum in June on changing the constitution