Colombia: Two dead and 23 wounded in grenade attack

[G.O.G]

Two people were killed and 23 wounded when two individuals fired a grenade from a motorcycle at a public facility in southwestern Colombia.

 The mayor of the town of Tumaco, Maria Emilse Guevara, told the RCN radio network that on Monday night two men attacked the premises "where they were departing a group of people."

 The wounded were taken to the hospital Divino Niño of that city. "When they were being taken, two of them were killed. Among the wounded are young people and adults who have injuries in different parts," said the mayor.

 Nancy Espacio, manager of Divino Niño hospital, told The Associated Press via telephone that "25 people were injured in the emergency room due to the grenade attack. Unfortunately, when they were being treated, two died and nine were referred to the emergency department. First level to hospital San Andrés de Tumaco due to his wounds with invoices in some of his lower and upper limbs.The rest were discharged because they did not present any seriousness.

 The suspected attackers, who were not identified, have already been arrested and an extraordinary security council was convened in Tumaco.

At the moment it is premature to point out with certainty who could have made this attack, we will wait for the investigation of the police and the prosecution, "said Guevara when asked about the possibility that behind the attack was a criminal gang operating in the region .

 Hours later, Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas announced that the area of Tumaco will be strengthened with new police and naval personnel, and said that organized crime groups operate there, and the Liberation Army National, ELN, and indicated that "the most probable hypothesis of this attack that is organized crime".

 Ombudsman Carlos Negret expressed in a statement his concern about the situation in the area and asked the police and military authorities for urgent measures in response to "the phenomenon of widespread violence in the region, which in the run up to 2016 leaves 135 homicides In rural and urban areas of Tumaco ".