Death Toll in Central African Republic Church Attack Rises to 26

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows part of the capital Bangui, Central African Republic, February 16, 2016. REUTERS/Siegfried Modola/File Photo

The number of people confirmed dead in a gun and grenade attack on a church in Bangui, Central African Republic, has risen to 26.

The Red Cross reported the rise in the death toll on Thursday following the Tuesday attack which occurred during services at Notre Dame de Fatima in the African nation’s capital.

Antoine Mbao Bogo, president of the Central African Republic Red Cross, said the death toll is expected to rise further. He told Reuters, “We have counted 99 seriously wounded, some of whom are being treated. And some are dying because the there was nothing to be done, despite the work of the doctors.”

According to wire reports, “The attack adds to a list of recent deadly clashes in Central African Republic where state control is breaking down and inter-faith violence that has long blighted the country threatens to flare again.”

The armed assailants remain unidentified.

–Gregory Leo