A series of powerful explosions ripped through Zamboanga city in the southern Philippines today injuring at least 24 people. Power was cut in the city of 700,000 immediately after the rush-hour explosions hit a mini-bus depot and a downtown restaurant, residents said. A third explosion rang out shortly after the second one but the cause and target was not immediately determined. Police said the first explosion tore through a mini-bus and a motorcycle at a depot in the commercial section of the city, wounding at least four people. A second blast ripped through a popular fast-food restaurant on the city's downtown Climaco Avenue and the city was blacked out. Radio Mindanao Network reported from the scene that 14 people were taken to hospital following the first two blasts. No further details were immediately available. Police kept journalists away from the scene of the second and third explosions. Zamboanga in the west of Mindanao island is a mixed Muslim and Christian city which has been troubled by separatist insurgencies and Islamic militancy in the past. No group claimed responsibility for the blasts. "Commander Robot, we miss you!" |
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