Grenade explosions injure 6 policemen, 1 child in Burundi capital

Unidentified persons Tuesday blasted two grenades near a police van at Gasenyi in the north of the Burundian capital Bujumbura, injuring six policemen and one child, police sources have said.

"Two grenades were blasted by unidentified people near a police van around 12:00 (10:00 GMT) at Gasenyi neighborhood near a marketplace. Six policemen and one child were injured," said Burundian Police Deputy-Spokesman Moise Nkurunziza.

He added that the people who blasted the grenades ran away after the blast.

"We are still looking for those criminals," said Nkurunziza.

On Monday, a soldier died at Muzinda military barrack in Bubanza province when a grenade that he had exploded in his hands.

Some reports say that he wanted to kill his colleagues, but his chief said that he committed "suicide" because he had family-related problems.

On Friday evening last week, four soldiers including a captain injured in a grenade explosion at Musaga in the south of the Burundian capital Bujumbura.

Burundi is facing a political turmoil that broke out since April 2015 following the announcement by Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza that he would be seeking a third term.

His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted into a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.

Over 400 persons are reported to have been killed since then while some 240,000 citizens sought exile in neighboring countries. Endit