Marawi: In a devastating incident, at least four lives were lost, and numerous individuals sustained injuries on Sunday in a bomb attack during a Catholic mass in the conflict-ridden southern Philippines.
The explosion, attributed to the militant Islamic State group, unfolded during a morning service held at Mindanao State University’s gymnasium in Marawi, the nation’s largest Muslim city, previously besieged by militant factions in 2017.
According to Police Lieutenant General Emmanuel Peralta, the blast, originating from an improvised explosive device, resulted in four fatalities and approximately 50 people wounded.
Photographs shared on the Lanao del Sur provincial government’s Facebook page depicted overturned plastic chairs, shattered glass, and debris scattered around a blackened area on the gymnasium floor.
Chris Jurado, a university student, recounted that the explosion occurred during the initial Bible reading of the morning mass at 7 am.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the persisting security challenges faced by the region, with militant groups continuing to pose threats and carry out violent acts. The Islamic State group promptly claimed responsibility for the attack, further underscoring the ongoing risks in the insurgency-plagued southern Philippines.
By AFP
