A car bomb that exploded late Saturday in the southwestern Colombian city of Popayan has left 17 people injured.
The bomb was so heavy it was heard and felt in large parts of the city and caused panic among residents.
According to an eye witness account, the bomb seemed on its way to the historic center of the city, but was detonated prematurely at a police check point in the east of the city.
Police stopped the white Mazda, searched the driver and when the driver reluctantly opened the trunk of the car, the policemen saw it contained a bomb.
The policemen were shouting at by-standing people that it was a bomb and to run away when the bomb apparently was detonated.
According to the city’s government secretary, in charge of security in the city, three of the injured were taken to hospital in critical condition.
Authorities have blamed the FARC for the attack.