TANZANIA: Churches rocked by Explosions as Security Remains a Big Challenge in Zanzibar
Several explosions have occurred in Zanzibar,
as Police have launched a manhunt on Tuesday (February 25th) for people
suspected of making the explosives that targeted two churches and a tourist
restaurant in Stone Town.
as Police have launched a manhunt on Tuesday (February 25th) for people
suspected of making the explosives that targeted two churches and a tourist
restaurant in Stone Town.
Information received from Tanzania said that
on Monday 24, February, one blast took place at the Anglican cathedral, a
historic building in the heart of the narrow and winding streets of Stone Town,
slightly damaging a wall and a car parked near the gate. The other blast
occurred at Mercury, a seafront restaurant and bar popular with tourists.
on Monday 24, February, one blast took place at the Anglican cathedral, a
historic building in the heart of the narrow and winding streets of Stone Town,
slightly damaging a wall and a car parked near the gate. The other blast
occurred at Mercury, a seafront restaurant and bar popular with tourists.
Another report said that on Sunday, explosion
was also reported at the Assemblies of God Church at Kijitoupele in which an
unidentified person threw a purportedly homemade grenade inside the church as
prayers were in progress. No casualty was reported.
was also reported at the Assemblies of God Church at Kijitoupele in which an
unidentified person threw a purportedly homemade grenade inside the church as
prayers were in progress. No casualty was reported.
“Fortunately the device fell in an empty
place during Sunday mass. There was panic before police detectives arrived and
took away the remains,” eyewitness reported adding that “Nobody was
injured.”
place during Sunday mass. There was panic before police detectives arrived and
took away the remains,” eyewitness reported adding that “Nobody was
injured.”
Police reports said that it is suspected that
the blasts were caused by homemade bombs that were thrown by unidentified
thugs. However, investigations continue to find out details of the blasts and
the motive behind them.
the blasts were caused by homemade bombs that were thrown by unidentified
thugs. However, investigations continue to find out details of the blasts and
the motive behind them.
“We are hunting for people behind these
incidents,” said Zanzibar Police Commissioner Hamdan Omar Makame adding
that “We shall get them and ask members of the public to help search for
the thugs who have caused unnecessary panic in Zanzibar.”
incidents,” said Zanzibar Police Commissioner Hamdan Omar Makame adding
that “We shall get them and ask members of the public to help search for
the thugs who have caused unnecessary panic in Zanzibar.”
The Indian Ocean islands are a growing
headache for the Tanzanian government because of religious tensions and deep
social and economic divisions.
headache for the Tanzanian government because of religious tensions and deep
social and economic divisions.
Last year there were several attacks on Church
leaders and structures and some targeted tourists.
leaders and structures and some targeted tourists.
In September 2013, a Roman Catholic priest
was the target of an acid attack, while a month earlier two men threw a
corrosive liquid over two British teenagers in Zanzibar.
was the target of an acid attack, while a month earlier two men threw a
corrosive liquid over two British teenagers in Zanzibar.
SOURCE: TEC Communications Office and News Agencies
