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Uganda explosions leave 74 dead | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The death toll from twin blasts that hit the Ugandan capital as football fans gathered to watch the World Cup final has risen to 74, officials say. | |
Another 70 were injured in the explosions at a Kampala rugby club and an Ethiopian restaurant. | |
Police are investigating whether the blasts were suicide bombings, and blamed Somalia's al-Shabab militants. | |
Ugandan peacekeepers operate in Somalia, and al-Shabab has threatened to hit Kampala in the past. | |
About 5,000 African Union troops from Uganda and Burundi are based in Mogadishu to protect the fragile interim government. | About 5,000 African Union troops from Uganda and Burundi are based in Mogadishu to protect the fragile interim government. |
The African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) force is engaged in frequent firefights with Islamist insurgents which control much of southern and central Somalia. | The African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom) force is engaged in frequent firefights with Islamist insurgents which control much of southern and central Somalia. |
Al-Shabab welcome attack | Al-Shabab welcome attack |
Both explosions caused death and injury, although many more people died at the crowded rugby club, where fans were watching the game on a large screen. | |
"These bombs were definitely targeting World Cup crowds," Insp Gen Kale Kayihura said, warning people to stay away from large crowds in the coming days. | "These bombs were definitely targeting World Cup crowds," Insp Gen Kale Kayihura said, warning people to stay away from large crowds in the coming days. |
The explosions ripped through the venues with about 10 minutes remaining in Sunday night's match. At both scenes chairs lay overturned, with blood and pieces of flesh on the floor. | The explosions ripped through the venues with about 10 minutes remaining in Sunday night's match. At both scenes chairs lay overturned, with blood and pieces of flesh on the floor. |
One unnamed witness told the BBC how he was caught in the rugby club blast. | One unnamed witness told the BBC how he was caught in the rugby club blast. |
"I just heard the bomb. In fact, I was blacked out, I didn't know anything. I was just down on the grass, I didn't know anything until when I gained consciousness, then I started now, crawling, coming out." | "I just heard the bomb. In fact, I was blacked out, I didn't know anything. I was just down on the grass, I didn't know anything until when I gained consciousness, then I started now, crawling, coming out." |
Many - if not most - of those killed and injured were foreign nationals, with both venues popular destinations for expatriates living in Kampala. | Many - if not most - of those killed and injured were foreign nationals, with both venues popular destinations for expatriates living in Kampala. |
One of the dead was an American, reported to be an aid worker from California. The nationalities of the people killed have not been released. | One of the dead was an American, reported to be an aid worker from California. The nationalities of the people killed have not been released. |
The crowd at the rugby club was usually a mix of Ugandans and foreigners, the police chief said. | The crowd at the rugby club was usually a mix of Ugandans and foreigners, the police chief said. |
There were reports that a severed head was found at one of the scenes, leading investigators to suggest that the attacks could have been the work of suicide bombers. | There were reports that a severed head was found at one of the scenes, leading investigators to suggest that the attacks could have been the work of suicide bombers. |
Insp Gen Kayihura said he believed Somalia's militant group al-Shabab could be behind Sunday evening's attacks. | Insp Gen Kayihura said he believed Somalia's militant group al-Shabab could be behind Sunday evening's attacks. |
In particular, the attack on the Ethiopian Village restaurant raised suspicions of al-Shabab involvement: Addis Ababa backs Somalia's government against the rebels. | |
Somali militants have been involved in terror attacks across East Africa in the past, but - if proven - this would be the first time the current group has struck outside Somalia. | Somali militants have been involved in terror attacks across East Africa in the past, but - if proven - this would be the first time the current group has struck outside Somalia. |
But the BBC's Will Ross, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, says there is no proof as yet that al-Shabab was involved. The blasts could be linked to next year's elections in Uganda, our correspondent adds. | But the BBC's Will Ross, in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, says there is no proof as yet that al-Shabab was involved. The blasts could be linked to next year's elections in Uganda, our correspondent adds. |
In Mogadishu, a militant commander said he was "happy" with the attacks in Uganda. | In Mogadishu, a militant commander said he was "happy" with the attacks in Uganda. |
However, Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa refused to confirm or deny that al-Shabab was responsible. | However, Sheik Yusuf Sheik Issa refused to confirm or deny that al-Shabab was responsible. |
He told the Associated Press news agency: "Uganda is one of our enemies. Whatever makes them cry, makes us happy. May Allah's anger be upon those who are against us." | He told the Associated Press news agency: "Uganda is one of our enemies. Whatever makes them cry, makes us happy. May Allah's anger be upon those who are against us." |
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni criticised the attackers and said his country would not "run away" from its commitments in Mogadishu. | Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni criticised the attackers and said his country would not "run away" from its commitments in Mogadishu. |
"People who are watching football are not people who should be targeted. If they [attackers] want a fight, they should go and look for soldiers." | "People who are watching football are not people who should be targeted. If they [attackers] want a fight, they should go and look for soldiers." |
The African Union has said the attacks will not affect its summit, which is due to be held in Kampala later this month. | The African Union has said the attacks will not affect its summit, which is due to be held in Kampala later this month. |
'Screaming and running' | 'Screaming and running' |
At least three Americans, members of a Church group from Pennsylvania, were wounded at the Ethiopian restaurant. | At least three Americans, members of a Church group from Pennsylvania, were wounded at the Ethiopian restaurant. |
One, Kris Sledge, 18, said from his hospital bed: "I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running." | One, Kris Sledge, 18, said from his hospital bed: "I remember blacking out, hearing people screaming and running." |
Mr Sledge, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, who had a bandaged leg and burns on his face, told AP: "I love the place here, but I'm wondering why this happened and who did this. At this point we're just glad to be alive." | Mr Sledge, of Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, who had a bandaged leg and burns on his face, told AP: "I love the place here, but I'm wondering why this happened and who did this. At this point we're just glad to be alive." |
US President Barack Obama said the explosions were "deplorable and cowardly". | US President Barack Obama said the explosions were "deplorable and cowardly". |
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US would work with the Ugandan government "to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice". | Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the US would work with the Ugandan government "to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice". |
The US embassy in Kampala has confirmed that one American was among the dead. | The US embassy in Kampala has confirmed that one American was among the dead. |
"The nationalities of all the fatalities will be released later," said police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba. | "The nationalities of all the fatalities will be released later," said police spokeswoman Judith Nabakooba. |
Are you in Kampala? Did you witness the explosions? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below. | Are you in Kampala? Did you witness the explosions? Send us your eyewitness accounts using the form below. |