Uganda: Bomb attacks death toll rises to 64

The death toll from three bombings in Kampala, Uganda -- two at locations where crowds were watching the World Cup -- surged to at least 64, authorities said.


The president of Uganda will inspect the explosion sites, his office's media center said Monday in a statement.

"The public is reminded to be vigilant in regards to security and report any suspicious activities to the police," President Yoweri Museveni's media center said. "Investigations are ongoing and further information shall be availed later today."

Officials confirmed 64 deaths in explosions at venues in Kampala Sunday during the televised World Cup finals. Another 57 people were admitted to hospitals and 14 were treated for minor injuries and released, the center said.

CNN reported more than 70 were hospitalized.

The Daily Monitor in Uganda reported police confirmed many people died in a bombing at the Ethiopian Village Restaurant in the suburb of Kabalagala while patrons watched the soccer competition Sunday. The newspaper also said its reporters counted about 40 bodies at Kyadondo Rugby Club, which was crowded with soccer fans watching Spain play the Netherlands in the Word Cup final.

A third explosion was reported to have gone off in Ntinda, another Kampala suburb, sending many people to hospitals and clinics throughout the capital, the Daily Monitor said.

Another Ugandan newspaper, The New Vision, reported police said they suspected al-Shabaab militants from Somalia could have been behind the attacks.

"We have been suspecting that these people could be planning something like this," Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, the inspector general of police, told the newspaper by phone.

Source: UPI