30 People Killed in Muslim Attack on Church in Central African Republic

People walk along a main street in the Central African Republic capital of Bangui where at least 30 people were killed in an attack by Muslim extremists on a Christian church at a refugee camp. (GORAN TOMASEVIC/REUTERS)

A priest in Central African Republic says at least 30 people have been killed after suspected Muslim rebels attacked a church where Christians were seeking refuge.

The Rev. Paul Emile Nzale told The Associated Press that the gunfire and grenade attack took place Wednesday afternoon in a displacement camp at the Church of Fatima in Bangui, the capital.

An Associated Press reporter counted at least 20 bodies taken to a hospital in the city because the morgue was not in service.

Wednesday’s attack is the largest in Bangui blamed on Muslim rebels since their Seleka coalition left power in January.

Most of the sectarian violence since then has been Christian militia fighters targeting Muslims, and there were already fears that Wednesday’s attack could prompt deadly reprisals.

SOURCE: The Associated Press