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| East/Subsaharan Africa |
| Explosions Near U.S. Embassy in Liberia |
| 2003-06-25 |
| Explosions rocked the area of the U.S. Embassy compound in Liberia's besieged capital on Wednesday, causing injuries among thousands of Liberians who had crowded into the diplomatic quarter for protection. "INCOMING!" It was impossible to immediately reach authorities within the embassy for comment. Witnesses, fleeing as others streamed out carrying wounded, said it appeared at least one shell had landed within the compound. An Associated Press reporter and photographer at the scene felt the ground shake from the two explosions but could not tell whether they hit inside or outside the embassy complex. The blasts appeared to be mortar rounds. Survivors ran past with the wounded — wheeling one bleeding young man out in a wheelbarrow, and using a ragged shirt as a stretcher for another victim. The U.S. Embassy and sprawling residential complex nearby are on a rocky hillside overlooking the Atlantic. The European Union compound is next to the U.S. Embassy. U.S. authorities earlier in the day admitted tens of thousands of refugees to the compound as rebels shelled the city. It marked the first time since 1996, during the height of Liberia's 1989-1996 civil war, that authorities had opened the compound as a refuge for Monrovia's people. Witnesses said four people were trampled in the stampede to get in the U.S. compound gates. The blasts sent the terrified throngs fleeing in the opposite direction. Heads down, people. It's only going to get worse. |
| Posted by:Steve |