Manila: At least 19 people were killed and nearly 50 injured when two bombs exploded outside a Roman Catholic cathedral on a southern Philippine island during Sunday mass.
According to security officials, the first bomb went off in or near the Jolo Cathedral in the provincial capital, followed by a second blast outside the compound as government forces were responding to the attack.
Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said that at least 19 people died and 48 were wounded. Police and military reports said the casualties included both troops and civilians.
Photos which went viral on social media showed debris and bodies lying on a busy street outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, which has been hit by bombs in the past. Troops in armoured carriers sealed off the main road leading to the church while vehicles were transporting the dead and wounded to the hospital. Some casualties were evacuated by air to nearby Zamboanga city.
Till now, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. The police investigation is underway.
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Ms Kalinga