Politics
08:15, 18-Jun-2017
Death toll rises to three in Colombia capital blast
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(Updated 9:10 BJT)
At least three women were killed and nine people wounded after an explosion rocked a shopping center in a tourist area of Colombian capital Bogota on Saturday afternoon.
The blast happened at around 5 p.m. local time. Witnesses said the blast occurred in the second-floor women's bathroom at Centro Andino in Bogota's central tourist district.
Bogota Mayor Enrique Penalosa tweeted that three women were killed and called the explosion a "cowardly terrorist attack."
One victim has been identified as a 23-year-old French woman who had been volunteering in Colombia, the mayor added. The other two victims were aged 27 and 31, AFP reported, quoting police officials. Six people were seriously injured in the attack.
President Juan Manuel Santos condemned the attack and ordered National Police chief General Jorge Nieto to investigate, according to AFP.
Colombian policemen take positions following an explosion inside a shopping center in Bogota on June 17, 2017. /AFP Photo
Colombian policemen take positions following an explosion inside a shopping center in Bogota on June 17, 2017. /AFP Photo
The site has been cordoned off as medical workers and firefighters work at the scene.
An investigation is underway, and no group has yet claimed responsibility.
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