Bank attack leaves 9 dead in Burundi's capital

At least nine people including seven bandits, a policeman and a bank client were killed when eight bandits attacked a bank at Buyenzi neighborhood in the Burundian capital Bujumbura, police sources said Friday.

"The robbery targeted the BCB bank, Buyenzi branch, around 15:00 (13:00 GMT). The armed bandits aboard a truck first killed a policeman guarding the bank and took away his gun, killed a bank client and then took two bags of money before driving away their truck while shooting," said Burundian Police Deputy-Spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye.

According to him, police agents were alerted and blocked the way to the bandits' truck at a roundabout in the city center.

"During clashes with policemen, seven bandits were killed whereas two policemen and a bandit were injured. Four cars were also damaged by stray bullets during the exchange of gunfire," said Nkurikiye.

He added that all the money that the bandits had stolen was recovered and returned to the bank.

Nkurikiye indicated that five guns including three of the Kalashnikov type and three pistols were seized from the thieves.

He added that investigations have started to know the identity of the armed bandits and their networks. Endit