Ruptly
"At least 12 people were killed, and more than 20 were injured on Saturday after a bomb attack hit a passenger bus on the Pan-American Highway in Colombia's south-western Cauca department. Footage shows vehicles overturned by the blast, with emergency crews treating the injured at the scene. Emergency teams and members of indigenous communities gathered at the site to assist victims and show solidarity. Authorities said the attack took place in El Tunel, in the municipality of Cajibio, where suspected FARC militants allegedly launched a cylinder packed with explosives, hitting several vehicles. "At this stage, we can confirm that around 12 people at the scene have no vital signs following the incident. There are also reports of 25 injured people, who were taken to Piendamo Hospital," said Julian Prado, Executive Director of the Cauca Red Cross. Oscar Yunda, an authority from the ancestral indigenous territory, called on the national government to protect civilians and strengthen security in areas of potential armed conflict. "Our call is for respect for life and for the civilian population. [...] We call on the national government, on the Ministry of Defence, to protect the civilian population," added Oscar Yunda. Cauca Governor Octavio Guzman initially said seven people were killed and more than 17 were injured in the attack. The regional health secretary, Carolina Camargo, later revised the toll, saying 12 people died at the scene and another died in the hospital. She said five of the injured were children. Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez blamed armed groups linked to Ivan Mordisco, as well as the Jaime Martinez faction, which is part of the former FARC groups operating in the area. President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack on X and called for the 'maximum global pursuit' of the group."
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