Big explosion leaves 1 dead, more than 20 injured in Kigali

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  by RNA Reporters

Kigali: A large blast rocked a busy part of Kigali city center leaving more than two dozen people injured and at least one dead, according to witnesses and security sources.

The grenade went off about 18:30 during the rush hour around that area known here as Rubangura’s. It is a time when every Kigali resident is heading home. The area is where taxis headed for Nyamirambo park.

The single blast happened in the same place where a grenade exploded in February. People working in the area said the Wednesday explosion was large and more powerful.

The RNA reporter on the scene said the entire area – covering about 500meters had been cordoned off as security operatives tried to piece together details of the explosion. There are all sorts of senior police and military officers, said our reporter.

Contacted about 30 minutes after the blast, Police spokesman Eric Kayiranga did not have any information – only telling RNA to “wait”. By 22:00 hours, he had switched off his phone.

Witnesses said many people were on the ground after the blast – with some saying more than 20 had been injured. The RNA reporter said he had been told how a man ran with his hand off probably without realizing – only to be stopped by several people.

Some sources said at least one person could have been killed.

At the scene blood stains were on the ground, and a motorbike lay in the street, said our reporter.

A taxi drive revealed to RNA that some suspicious people had been seen in the area, but by the time they informed security officials, the blast had already gone off.