30 killed in Muslim attack on Christian church in Central African Republic
The latest bout of violence has heightened fears of renewed tensions between Christians and Muslims [AFP]At least 30 people have been killed in an attack on a church in the Central African Republic.
Wednesday\’s attack at the Notre-Dame de Fatima church in central Bangui, where thousands of civilians had sought refuge, is the largest and most brazen blamed on Muslim fighters since the Seleka coalition was removed from power nearly five months ago.
"We were in the church when we heard the shooting outside,\’\’ Reverend Freddy Mboula told the Associated Press news agency. "There were screams and after 30 minutes of gunfire there were bodies everywhere.\’\’
Witnesses said the gunmen entered the complex, hurling grenades and shooting indiscriminately.
There were conflicting reports of how many were killed, and fighting in the area also prohibited observers from independently confirming the toll.
A Reuters cameraman said he saw dozens of bodies being carried away.
The majority Christian country has been wracked by relentless clashes between Christian vigilante groups and the mainly Muslim ex-Seleka rebels who had seized power in a coup which ended in January.
Source: Agencies
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