Casualties continue to rise after explosion in the Philippines

The number of casualties after the explosion on the morning of December 3 at Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Southern Philippines continues to rise.

Police are investigating the cause of the explosion on the morning of December 3 at the University of Mindanao, Philippines. (Source: EPA/Shutterstock)

On December 3, Xinhua News Agency (China) quoted the local military and police as saying that at least four people were killed and 50 injured in the incident.

The explosion occurred at 7 a.m. (local time) when students and teachers gathered inside the physical education facility at Mindanao State University in the southern city of Marawi for Catholic prayers.

According to Major General Gabriel Viray, Commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division, among the dead were three women and one man. Brigadier General Allan Cruz Nobleza, Bangsamoro Regional Police Director, said they were investigating whether the explosive device was a homemade bomb or a grenade.

Mindanao State University condemns the attack and expresses its grief and solidarity with the victims' families.

School officials decided to suspend classes until further notice and deployed additional security personnel to protect the campus in Marawi City, the capital and largest city of Lanao del Sur province on the Muslim-majority island of Mindanao.

Earlier, on December 1, the Philippine military conducted an air and ground operation, killing 11 suspected gunmen of the Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist group in Mindanao. On December 2, the Philippine military said the group planned an attack in Maguindanao del Sur province, Bangsamoro region, a Muslim autonomous region in the south.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thuong-vong-tiep-tuc-tang-sau-vu-no-o-philippines-252455.html