Casualties continue to rise after explosion in Philippines

The death toll from the explosion on the morning of December 3 at Mindanao State University, Marawi City, Southern Philippines continues to rise.

Police are investigating the cause of the explosion on the morning of December 3 at the University of Mindanao, Philippines. (Source: EPA/Shutterstock)

On December 3, Xinhua News Agency (China) quoted the local military and police as saying that at least 4 people were killed and 50 people were injured in the incident.

The explosion occurred at 7 a.m. (local time) when students and teachers gathered inside the physicaleducation facility at Mindanao State University in the southern city of Marawi for Catholic prayers.

According to Major General Gabriel Viray, commander of the Philippine Army's 1st Infantry Division, three women and one man were among the dead. Brigadier General Allan Cruz Nobleza, director of the Bangsamoro regional police, said they were investigating whether the explosive device was a homemade bomb or a grenade.

Mindanao State University condemns the attack and expresses its condolences and solidarity with the victims' families.

School officials have decided to suspend classes until further notice and deployed additional security personnel to protect the campus in Marawi City, the capital and largest city of Lanao del Sur province on the island of Mindanao, which has a majority Muslim population.

Earlier, on December 1, the Philippine military conducted an air and ground operation, killing 11 suspected gunmen of the Dawlah Islamiyah terrorist group in Mindanao. On December 2, the Philippine military said the group planned to attack in Maguindanao del Sur province, Bangsamoro region, a Muslim autonomous region in the south.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thuong-vong-tiep-tuc-tang-sau-vu-no-o-philippines-252455.html