Explosion at World Cup viewing center kills soccer fans in northeast Nigeria
A suicide bomber detonated a tricycle taxi packed with explosives at a World Cup viewing center in the northeast Nigerian town of Damaturu.
Witnesses say many people were killed. There was no immediate word on the number of deaths or injuries.
The victims were soccer fans gathered in an outdoor area to watch the Brazil-Mexico match on Tuesday.
Many suspect that Islamic extremist group Boko Haram is behind the blast.
Boko Haram, which roughly means "Western education is sinful," has declared war on anything they consider a sign of influence from the Western world.
The terrorist group, which is holding more than 250 schoolgirls hostage, believes that it is forbidden for Muslims to take part in any “Western” activity – whether getting a secular education or watching soccer.
Over the past few weeks, they have killed at least 40 people in two blasts at soccer-viewing centers and sports bars in northern Nigerian cities.
Many soccer fans in Africa rely on informal TV-viewing centers – often open-air structures – to watch international soccer matches.
But the Nigerian government has advised locals to avoid gathering in public to watch World Cup matches.
Police Commissioner Marcus Danladi confirmed Tuesday's explosion but said local authorities are still piecing together the details.
Rescue workers are being careful of secondary explosions that may have been set up to kill first responders.
Several pickup trucks were seen carrying bodies to the nearby General Sani Abacha Specialist Hospital, according to a source at the hospital.
"There are also many casualties in the emergency room,” the source said.
All witnesses who spoke to the media did so on the condition of anonymity because they fear reprisal.
Since 2009, Boko Haram, which has ties to Al-Qaeda, has been responsible for killing thousands of people. The group wants to overthrow the government and establish an Islamic state in the tumultuous north of the country.
