Deadly mine explosion strikes Bamako-Kayes highway in Mali, leaving eight dead and dozens injured
An explosive device detonated along the Bamako-Kayes highway in western Mali, killing eight civilians and injuring 42 others. The blast targeted a passenger bus traveling on this critical route, which has long been a hotspot for armed violence in the region.
- Armed attack
Eight civilians lost their lives and 42 more were hospitalized following the detonation of an improvised explosive device beneath a passenger bus on the Bamako-Kayes corridor. The attack occurred Monday morning as the vehicle transported passengers through a region plagued by persistent armed clashes.
Local transport officials confirmed the toll, identifying all victims as civilians aboard the bus. Meanwhile, a paramilitary formation operating in Mali reported conflicting figures, citing five fatalities and over a dozen injuries. This faction attributed the assault to the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM), an Al-Qaeda-linked organization active in the Sahel.
This western Malian corridor remains a frequent target for armed groups deploying roadside explosives. Just last month, JNIM coordinated attacks with a predominantly Tuareg rebel movement, according to security assessments in the area.