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1st LD: Casualties feared as twin blasts hit Muslim praying ground in Nigeria: witnesses

Xinhua, July 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

Casualties were feared after twin blasts hit a Muslim praying ground in northeastern Nigeria early Friday, witnesses said.

The incident occurred in Damaturu city, capital of Nigeria's northeastern state of Yobe, when locals gathered for prayers on Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

The first blast occurred at about 7:35 a.m. local time (0635 GMT), as some Muslim faithful arrived at the praying ground located in central Damaturu, said a witness identified as Fatai Hammed.

A second blast followed two minutes later, causing fears of heavy casualties, he added.

Witnesses were not sure whether the attacks were carried out by suicide bombers or caused by some improvised explosive devices.

Security operatives have cordoned off the area, according to Raheem Ilelah, who also witnessed the incidents. No official has so far commented on the development.

The incident occurred less than 24 hours after Gombe, another northeastern state in Nigeria, witnessed two bombings in a local market Thursday which killed at least 25 people and injured more than 30. Endi