Posted on 02/02/2003 5:44:35 AM PST by petuniasevan
|
|
By DULUE MBACHU, Associated Press Writer
LAGOS, Nigeria - A blast rocked the heart of Nigeria's commercial capital Sunday, killing as many as 50 people, witnesses and local radio reported.
The explosion occurred about 12:30 p.m. on Lagos Island, the center of the business district of this city of 12 million.
It tore through a three-story building, in a blast that could be heard for miles.
Resident Omololu Kassim, who was helping carry the victims, told The Associated Press he saw 40 dead and as many injured. Radio stations reported up to 50 killed.
Crowds massed at the scene, many wailing as police and other rescue workers struggled to pull bodies from the rubble.
There was no immediate word on the cause of the blast.
Last year, a series of explosions at an army munitions depot in Lagos killed more than 1,000 people.
The Jan. 27, 2002, tragedy was followed by three days of ethnic rioting in Lagos this month that killed 100 people, destroyed homes and sent thousands fleeing.
..I wonder who was behind it..
Naahh..probably some of those crazy separatist Mennonites..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.