Grenade blast in Northern Bahr el Ghazal kills revelers in party

By Okech Francis

A football tournament had ended and fans turned to merry making to celebrate the accomplishment in Northern Bahr el Ghazal.

But as the celebrations were on, suddenly a blast rang killing two people are injuring over 20 others including James Salah Makoi who is receiving treatment at Aweil main hospital.

“A young man with a grenade came next to the sound system and threw down the grenade which exploded before we could ask him for a reason,” Makoi said in an interview from his sick bed.

“Many people have been injured and I saw one young boy who died instantly.”

Police in Udhum Payam of Northern Bahr el Ghazal where the incident occurred have confirmed that it occurred in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

“Two people died instantly while 22 others who are injured have been transported to Aweil main hospital,” Angelo Bol, the Police Inspector in Udhum Payam said.

“We are still investigating the issue now and the facts will be got soon.”

At Aweil Main Hospital, three of those admitted were in critical condition, Dr. Wol Wol Akeen the Medical Director said.

“Yes, we have admitted 24 people and three are in critical conditions while the rest will be fine soon,” Akeen said.

“The wounds are for a grenade explosion and these people are undergoing treatment.”