Authorities in Cameroon say a minimum of 19 individuals have been injured in an explosion at a sports activities occasion in southwest Cameroon
ByEDWIN KINDZEKA MOKI Related Press
February 25, 2023, 12:49 PM
YAOUNDE, Cameroon — At the least 19 individuals have been injured in an explosion Saturday at a sports activities occasion in southwest Cameroon, authorities mentioned.
9 athletes competing within the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in Buea city have been injured, in addition to 10 civilians, together with a child, mentioned Bernard Okalia Bikai, governor of the southwest area.
The injured have been taken to Buea regional hospital and are receiving remedy, he instructed The Related Press.
The Central African nation has been tormented by preventing since English-speaking separatists launched a rebel in 2017, with the said aim of breaking away from the realm dominated by the French-speaking majority nation and organising an unbiased, English-speaking state.
The federal government has accused the separatists of committing atrocities in opposition to English-speaking civilians. The battle has killed greater than 3,300 individuals and displaced greater than 750,000 others, in keeping with the U.N.
One of many separatist teams claimed duty for Saturday’s assault, however mentioned the intention was to hit the navy.
“Our main targets have been the Cameroon navy who the place offering safety for the athletes. We remorse that civilians have been injured. We’ll proceed preventing the navy wherever they’re till they liberate our territory,” mentioned Capo Daniel, deputy protection chief and spokesman for the Ambazonia Protection Forces..
The annual race was celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with greater than 550 athletes from 13 international locations participating. The race was lower than half-hour in when the explosion despatched runners and spectators fleeing.