At least two people were killed while 21 others were injured when an explosion occurred on December 31 afternoon, near the entrance of a mall in Cotabato city in southern Philippines, Xinhua news agency reported.
The scene of the recent explosion in the Philippines (Photo: sunstar.com.ph)
Hanoi (VNA) – At least two people were killed while 21others were injured when an explosion occurred on December 31 afternoon, nearthe entrance of a mall in Cotabato city in southern Philippines, Xinhua newsagency reported.
The Chinese news agency cited Philippine military and police authoritiesas saying that an improvised explosive device exploded around 1:59 pm localtime in front of a major mall, as hundreds of people were shopping for the NewYear's Eve.
Cotabato city police said an unidentified man dropped a wrapped box inthe area shortly before the blast.
Wounded victims were rushed to the nearest hospital while bomb disposalteam quickly arrived at the scene.
The Philippine army is looking into the incident as well as trying toidentify the kind of explosive device which was used in the case. Initialinvestigation results showed that it has similar design with onesfrequently-used by local militants who pledged loyalty to the self-claimedIslamic State (IS) in their previous attacks.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. -VNA
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The scene of the recent explosion in the Philippines (Photo: sunstar.com.ph) 
