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Central African Republic: Bangui grenade attack kills 11 | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A grenade attack on a funeral in Bangui, capital of the Central African Republic, has killed 11 people, the Red Cross says. | |
A government minister earlier said 20 people were killed, but several sources told the BBC the toll was lower. | |
Reports from Bangui say that former fighters from the Seleka militia are thought to be behind the attack. | |
The country has been hit by civil conflict since Seleka rebels ousted the president in March 2013. | |
The attack happened at around 23:00 on Thursday (22:00 GMT), Public Security Minister Denis Wangao Kizimale told national radio. | |
Mr Kizimale told local radio that the attackers were "extremists well-known to the police", according to the AFP news agency. | |
At least 14 people are also reported to have been injured. | |
The conflict has taken on an increasingly sectarian nature, with UN human rights chief Navi Pillay warning last week that hatred between Christians and Muslims in CAR had reached a "terrifying level". | The conflict has taken on an increasingly sectarian nature, with UN human rights chief Navi Pillay warning last week that hatred between Christians and Muslims in CAR had reached a "terrifying level". |
There have been horrific attacks, including acts of cannibalism and children having their heads cut off. | |
After the mainly Muslim rebel Seleka group deposed President Francois Bozize and installed their leader Michel Djotodia as president, it was accused of of targeting Christians. | |
In January, Mr Djotodia was in turn forced to step down amid criticism he had not done enough to stem sectarian violence. | |
Since then, Muslims have been singled out for attack, with thousands fleeing their homes and even the country. |