Blast at 2023 Mount Cameroon Race provokes panic

Buea February 25 — three artificial bombs have exploded at different neighborhoods in the Southwest capital city minutes after the start of the 2023 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope this Saturday, injuring an unconfirmed number of persons, including a child that was watching, and causing uncertainty.

One of the Cameroon Athletic Federation most cherished rites of every February had pulled out fans willing to create scene of cheers and for the sweaty athletes. Unfortunately this development changes the atmosphere.

Almost three-quarters of the over 600 runners who participated in the race were on their way up the mountain when two bombs that had apparently been placed Biaka Junction exploded around just after 7AM in a haze of smoke amid a crowd of spectators in the streets.

Seconds later, another bomb exploded several hundred feet away at Bonduma gate.

Pandemonium erupted as panicked runners and spectators scattered, and rescue workers rushed in to care for the injured, some of whom had been rushed to the Biaka Hospital.

“I was about running pass two Athletes who were ahead of me when I heard the explosion that affected my leg. The first Bomb affected and others were affected. But I have no details for now,” the 18-year-old Gabonese athlete Obamisang Dimitri told radio Radio Balafon from the Biaka Hospital.

The police have taken the lead role in the investigating the matter though

Police have already made some arrests in connection with the situation.

Calm has returned in the race areas. Some junior category athletes have already completed the race while the senior category athletes head up the mountain for the rest of the course.

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