A suspected attack by Colombia’s largest insurgency group FARC has killed two people and injured at least 17 more, local media reported Wednesday.
A grenade blast in the town of Pradera, located in the southwestern Valle de Cauca department, has reportedly left two people dead and 31 injured, including 14 minors.
The explosion in the town of Pradera, located in the southwestern Valle de Cauca department, took place around 7:20PM one block from the main park and local police station. Preliminary reports indicate two men on a bicycle set of the explosive device.
The number of casualties was augmented by the fact that many residents were out on the streets celebrating Halloween. Three of the injured children were “severely affected by shards of metal,” according to Mayor Adolfo Escobar.
“We were celebrating with about 7,000 people in the park, mostly children, and then this abominable thing occurs. Who would do such a thing,” Escobar told reporters Wednesday evening.
Initial reports suggested insurgents targeting the local police station carried out the attack. While investigations are still in their infancy, authorities noted the 6th front of FARC has been active in the region lately.
Local police commander, Colonel Nelson Ramirez, claimed the two people who died were the same ones carrying the grenade. “Their bodies were unrecognizable. Anti-explosive experts are in place to establish the type of device and the amount that was used,” said Ramirez.