Grenade attack on Nairobi bus kills 4, injures 25

[News_Editor]

NAIROBI, KENYA (BNO NEWS) -- A hand grenade was thrown into a bus in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Saturday afternoon, killing at least four people and injuring more than two dozen others, the interior ministry said. It was not immediately known who was responsible.

The attack occurred at around 5 p.m. local time on Saturday on a road in Eastleigh, a suburb of Nairobi that is sometimes called "Little Mogadishu" because it is predominantly inhabited by Somali immigrants. It happened when a group of attackers threw a hand grenade into a 32-seat bus.

"Four people have been confirmed dead from the grenade attack in Eastleigh area this evening. Our condolences to the families," an interior ministry spokesperson said. At least 25 others were injured, including 15 people who were taken to Guru Nanak Hospital and two who were taken to Kenyatta National Hospital, but their conditions were not immediately known.

It is believed one of the attackers may be among those killed.

"We empathize with those injured in the attack, pray for their quick recovery and urge the public to remain vigilant and share information with authorities," the spokesperson said, adding that the scene was secured and a search for suspects is underway. "The attack is an unfortunate and cowardice incident which will not be tolerated."

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack, but the Eastleigh area has in the past suffered from other attacks that were blamed on the Somali militant group al-Shabaab. The group also claimed responsibility for an attack on an upscale shopping mall in Nairobi in September, killing 67 people.

(Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].)