three killed in blast at upscale bogota mall
Friday 17 January 2025
Last Updated : GMT 09:03:51
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Three killed in blast at upscale Bogota mall

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today

Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Three killed in blast at upscale Bogota mall

Colombian President visits the upmarket Bogota mall
Bogota - Al Maghrib Today

Three people including a young Frenchwoman were killed and nine wounded Saturday when an explosion rocked an upscale Bogota mall, as Colombia's only active guerrilla group condemned the blast.

President Juan Manuel Santos said there were "no clear indications" who was behind the explosion, emphasizing that those responsible would be captured and held accountable.

"Terrorists are not going to change our ways," he said at the scene of the attack, urging Colombians to continue "normal life" and enjoy the Father's Day holiday on Sunday.

One Frenchwoman, 23, died in the attack, according to the city's mayor. Two Colombians also died, the Clinic of the Country said in a statement.

Another 48-year-old Frenchwoman was among the injured, according to the clinic.

Bogota Mayor Enrique Penalosa also said authorities could not confirm "which group could be responsible" for the blast, but it was "clearly a cowardly terrorist attack."

- Chaos and tears -

Police said that at about 5:00 pm (2200 GMT) the explosion tore through a restroom in the Centro Andino Mall, crowded with shoppers ahead of Father's Day and located in an upscale area of the Colombian capital that is popular with foreigners.

National police chief General Jorge Nieto told reporters "a device" was placed "behind one of the toilets in the women's bathroom" in the shopping center.

Michael Montoya, who works in a pastry shop on the third floor, told AFP that "we were tending to customers and we heard an explosion on the second floor."

After heading to the scene he said he and his colleague saw people crying and bloodstained.

"It was in the bathrooms because some women came out crying," he said. "There was a lot of smoke and security people told us to evacuate."

Police, ambulances and firefighters swiftly arrived at the scene, popular for its bars, restaurants and nightclubs.

President Santos said the mall would open normally on Sunday.

The Frenchwoman who died had spent six months working in a school in a poor neighborhood, Bogota's mayor said.

French ambassador to Colombia Gautier Mignot confirmed the death of the 23-year-old and told a Bogota radio station that "the young woman was apparently in the company of her mother."

- Solidarity -

Colombia is still grappling with a civil conflict that has lasted more than half a century between guerrilla fighters, paramilitary groups and state forces -- leaving at least 260,000 dead, 60,000 missing and 7.1 million displaced.

The government is seeking a "complete peace" after reaching a peace accord last year with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as the FARC.

The ELN, with 1,500 fighters, is the last guerrilla group still active in the country, but was quick to condemn the attack.

"ELN_Paz condemns this deplorable incident," the group wrote on its Twitter account, noting that the attack was "against civilians."

"We share the pain and stand in solidarity with the victims," the group wrote. "The state should investigate thoroughly to identify those responsible."

The leader of the FARC, Rodrigo Londono -- known as Timochenko -- also denounced the explosion.

"Solidarity with the victims of today in Bogota," he wrote on Twitter. "This act can only come from those who want to close the roads of peace and reconciliation."

The blast was the second major attack this year in the Colombian capital.

In February the ELN claimed responsibility for a bombing at a bullring in Bogota, which killed a police officer and wounded more than 20 people.

Source: AFP

 

almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

three killed in blast at upscale bogota mall three killed in blast at upscale bogota mall

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

three killed in blast at upscale bogota mall three killed in blast at upscale bogota mall

 



Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017

GMT 09:22 2018 Monday ,22 January

Skincare PR Performance Full Year 2017
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way

GMT 11:03 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

New hunt for flight MH370 gets under way
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Modern colorful bedroom renovation

GMT 10:57 2017 Thursday ,21 December

Modern colorful bedroom renovation
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president

GMT 13:56 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Puigdemont candidate for Catalan president
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Turkey detains dozens more

GMT 10:47 2018 Wednesday ,24 January

Turkey detains dozens more
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today The Rake announces editorial updates

GMT 10:46 2018 Tuesday ,16 January

The Rake announces editorial updates
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Europe brings on charm and blue skies

GMT 11:51 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Europe brings on charm and blue skies
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today For the Variety of Interior Design Styles

GMT 10:46 2017 Tuesday ,19 December

For the Variety of Interior Design Styles
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today US Christian tourists see deep meaning

GMT 13:44 2018 Monday ,22 January

US Christian tourists see deep meaning
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 10:03 2018 Tuesday ,23 January

Amazon to open first cashierless shop

GMT 09:54 2017 Tuesday ,07 March

Lee and Lin face emotional farewells

GMT 05:50 2012 Thursday ,27 September

Mervat Amin has no complaint over swim suit issues

GMT 10:33 2017 Wednesday ,19 April

Shut up and get in the ring

GMT 04:24 2017 Monday ,08 May

Army shells enemy border positions in north

GMT 01:04 2015 Friday ,17 April

Qatar's deputy emir condoles saudi king

GMT 10:17 2016 Wednesday ,26 October

Obama gets back at mean tweets on Kimmel show

GMT 12:24 2017 Thursday ,06 April

Keys, Williams slump out in Charleston

GMT 14:38 2016 Sunday ,11 December

SEDCO declared 8th best workplace

GMT 13:53 2015 Saturday ,02 May

Sustainability right in the middle of the desert

GMT 12:18 2017 Friday ,14 April

Beirut: Where beauty reigns supreme

GMT 10:36 2016 Thursday ,29 September

Thousands of Indonesian workers protest tax amnesty

GMT 16:33 2011 Wednesday ,10 August

Baby whale to be put down after second beaching

GMT 09:37 2011 Friday ,15 July

Nominations for 63rd primetime emmy awards

GMT 12:20 2013 Thursday ,29 August

Ogallala Aquifer being drained by US farmers

GMT 04:04 2012 Friday ,23 March

Ricky Martin & twins cover Vanity Fair

GMT 21:35 2012 Friday ,07 September

Prada Fall/Winter 2012 Menswear collection

GMT 04:34 2011 Friday ,28 October

Give your bathtub a natural edge

GMT 19:02 2011 Monday ,11 July

Kolobnev expelled from Tour after positive test

GMT 13:38 2011 Tuesday ,13 December

UEFA rules: Official loopholes
Almaghrib Today, almaghrib today
 
 Almaghrib Today Facebook,almaghrib today facebook  Almaghrib Today Twitter,almaghrib today twitter Almaghrib Today Rss,almaghrib today rss  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube  Almaghrib Today Youtube,almaghrib today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

.almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday .almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday almaghribtoday almaghribtoday
almaghribtoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday, Almaghribtoday