At least five people were killed and over 40 wounded by a terrorist car bomb that went off at the center of Buenaventura/ West Colombia.

The explosion occurred next to the local public prosecutor’s building and mayor’s office today, Wednesday 24th local time 9:25 am.

Foris Yerlin Mancilla, a director of the Colombian disaster prevention office spoke to Caracol radio station where he said  “A car bomb has exploded in Buenaventura where several buildings  have been damaged”

According to local officials the explosive was detonated while a police passing a police vehicle.

Dozens of shops were damaged in the area, as the dead and injured lie on the floor. A police officer named as Velásquz Edwin Carvajal is also amongst the dead.

Five members from the Technical Investigation Team (CTI) a division at the Office of the Attorney General of Colombia were slightly injured.

Many were wounded by glass and shrapnel after the explosion shattered show windows and demolished surrounding buildings.

José de la Pava, the chief prosecutor of Valle del Cauca a security department of Colombia, said in a telephone interview with AP that “we are currently in a security meeting with the military authorities to address the emergency.”

The Colombian armed forces have vowed to catch the culprits who are responsible for the cowardly act that took so many lives.

Though no one has claimed for the attacks so far, Colombian officials and media believe the rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or better known as FARC are behind the attacks that took place this morning.

General Freddy Padilla, the commander of the Colombian Military Forces said to local media “It’s a sad moment in our history. We suspect the FARC are behind the attack that took place today in Buenaventura

FARC is anti US rebel group based in Colombia who condemns US influence in the country. The rebel group have detonated explosives in public areas in the passed and are also known for taking hostages.
National Turk – Latin America
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