Explosion hits Zamboanga City bar; 1 dead, 31 injured

Photo by Julie Alipala/INQUIRER

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Authorities said one person was killed and at least 31 others were injured in an explosion that rocked Fantacy Bar in Barangay Guiwan here Friday afternoon.

Senior Supt. Angelito Casimiro said that before the explosion which happened around 3:30 p.m., a fire was noticed at Fantacy, which was just across the bus terminal on Ma. Clara Lobregat Highway.

Authorities said one person, identified as a certain Reynaldo Tan, died while being treated at a hospital.

Thirteen victims were brought to the Zamboanga City Medical Center, 15 at the Western Mindanao Medical Center and three at the Zamboanga Peninsula Hospital.

‘‘We are looking at either a gas tank (explosion) or an improvised explosive device,” he said, adding that the bar, a tricycle and a car were also damaged in the blast.