ADDIS ABABA: Landmine explosion in Ethiopia’s western Benishangul Gumuz regional state has left 8 civilians dead, state television reported on Wednesday.
The incident happened when a mini-bus carrying 11 civilians encountered serious explosion after running over a landmine that was hidden under the road, Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporate quoted regional government authorities.
According to Benishangul Gumuz regional state officials, the number of people killed could further rise as the remaining 3 people who were on board the mini-bus during the explosion had sustained serious physical injuries.
The injured are currently receiving medical treatment in nearby health stations, it was noted.
The landmine explosion, for which no claim of responsibility has yet been made, occurred along the border of Benishangul Gumuz region and Ethiopia’s largest regional state Oromia.
Ethiopian security forces are now undertaking a through initial investigation to uncover the major intention behind the landmine plot as well as the identity of individuals, local government officials said.
The border areas along the two regional states had recently been the hotbeds of violence, in which ethnic clashes in September this year alone had left at least five people dead and scores of others injured.
