Mosque Bombed in Zanzibar; One Dead
Tanzanian police are hunting for suspects after a bomb blast at a mosque on Zanzibar island killed one person and injured several more.
Officials say the homemade device exploded Friday at the mosque in Zanzibar’s Stone Town area. The French news agency reports that a Muslim preacher, Sheikh Mohammed Abdalla Mkombalaguha, was killed. No one has claimed responsibility.
Police say they questioned several suspects but none has been arrested. They are asking the public for help in providing information that may lead to arrests.
Zanzibar has been the scene of several attacks in recent months.
In February, homemade bombs exploded at Stone Town’s Anglican cathedral and a restaurant popular with tourists. There were no injuries.
Last year, attackers threw acid into the faces of two British teenagers as they strolled through Stone Town. A priest was also burned badly in an acid attack. Zanzibar police say some of the suspects in those incidents were youths who wanted to join the Somali militant group al-Shabab.
Sectarian tensions have been growing in Zanzibar, which is known for its white-sand beaches and relies heavily on tourism.
Additional report from AFP and Reuters.