DAKAR – Equatorial Guinea’s government has declared the coastal city of Bata an “area of catastrophe” saying it has activated urgent measures to help those affected by blasts Sunday that killed at least 105 people and injured 615 others.
The government declared three days of mourning beginning Wednesday. Investigations into the cause of the blasts have begun. President Teodoro Obiang Nguema, his wife and son, who is the country's vice president, visited the damaged military barracks Tuesday.
Obiang said the explosions in Bata's Mondong Nkuantoma neighborhood were caused by the “negligent handling of dynamite” and the stocking of such ammunition so close to residential areas.