Separatists in southwest Cameroon opened fire on a public bus on Tuesday, killing at least six civilians and injuring eight more, according to authorities and the head of a local hospital.
English-speaking insurgents in Cameroon’s North West and South West have increased attacks, killings, and kidnappings this year in their drive to establish an independent state.
According to a transport syndicate official who asked to remain anonymous for security concerns, the bus, which was traveling from the country’s capital Douala to the city of Kumba, came under fire near the village of Ekona.
Findi Stanley Mokondo, a lawmaker from Ekona’s district, acknowledged the attack but did not give the number of fatalities.
In the regional capital Buea, the facility has received six dead bodies and eight injured patients, according to Dr. Martin Mokaka, director of the major hospital.
“We have had a busy day, working hard with the forces of law and order to identify some of the victims and inform their families,” he said.
Unverified footage of the aftermath shared on Twitter showed bleeding bus passengers lying still on seats covered in shattered glass.
Both the government and the separatists, who identify as “Amba Boys,” were unavailable for comment at the time.
Insurgents started clashing with the Cameroonian military in 2017, following the violent suppression of peaceful rallies by the country’s English-speaking minority. Their attacks frequently target schools, which has severely affected the educational system.
On September 5, two weeks of lockdown were enforced by separatists in the North West and South West regions. Day schools were set to reopen following the summer break.