2014 Nairobi bus bombings

Nairobi bus bombing
Location Thika Road, Nairobi, Kenya
Date May 4, 2014 (2014-05-04)
Attack type
 Bus bombings
Deaths 3[1][2]
Non-fatal injuries
 62

On 4 May 2014, two improvised explosive devices exploded on buses in Nairobi, Kenya, killing three people and injuring sixty-two.[1][2] Both of the bombs exploded northeast of Nairobi on the Thika Road, an eight-lane controlled-access highway, and detonated 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) apart. Twenty of the wounded were in critical condition after the blast.

Background

In October 2011, Kenya deployed soldiers in a coordinated operation with the Somalian military against the Al-Shabaab militant group in southern Somalia.[3] Al-Shabaab vowed to launch attacks in Kenya in retaliation.[3] In April 2014, Kenyan authorities announced a security operation, after several terrorist attacks.[3]

On 3 May 2014, three people were killed and fifteen injured[2][1] when a hand grenade was detonated inside a bus in Mombasa, Kenya.[4] In another incident which occurred on the same day, an improvised explosive device was deposited within a bag on a beach.[3] The bag was noticed, and no casualties were reported after "people took cover".[4]

Attack

On 4 May 2014, when the 45-seater buses were "packed with commuters",[5][6] two bombs exploded on different buses around 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) apart.[1] The explosions occurred outside a hotel, and in an underpass. According to Kenya's National Disaster Operations Centre, twenty of the injured people were in a critical condition after the blast.[1] Photos showed that one bus had a large hole in the side, and the other had its doors and windows blown off.[1] The majority of casualties were women and children.[7]

Initial responses

Reports differed over the nature of the explosive devices, with some saying the "homemade explosive devices" were grenades.[2] Initial casualty reports were of two dead and twenty-seven wounded,[8][5] but that number increased as time progressed. No group or individual came forward to claim responsibility for the attacks. However, the Kenyan government blamed Al-Shabaab for the incidents.[1]

Reactions

Kenyan Vice President William Ruto stated that "security agencies are in pursuit of the perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act",[8] while Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said that "the terrorists will be treated as the vicious criminals they are".[9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Kenya buses hit by deadly twin blasts in Nairobi". BBC. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Kenya: Three Killed In Nairobi Bus Bombings". Sky News. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Odula, Tom (3 May 2014). "Kenya gov't: 3 killed in 2 blasts at Kenyan coast". Big Story. Associated Press. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Kenya blasts: three dead after twin attacks in Mombasa". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  5. 1 2 "At least 27 wounded in twin Nairobi yea bus blasts: police". eNCA. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  6. ↑ "Bus bombing in Nairobi leaves at least three dead". The Guardian. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  7. ↑ "Explosions wrack buses in Nairobi". Deutsche Welle. 4 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Two killed, dozens wounded in twin Nairobi bus bombings". Bankok Post. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
  9. ↑ "Three dead in Nairobi bus bombings". thestar.com. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2014.
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