Bomb Outrage In Colombia Kills 51

Press, Volume C, Issue 29706, 27 December 1961, Page 9

Bomb Outrage In Colombia Kills 51

(NZ Press Association—Copyright) BUGA (Colombia), December 26. Colombia was plunged into sorrow in the midst of Christmas festivities today as weeping relatives tried to identify the dead in yesterday's bomb outrage, in which 51 persons were killed and 122 injured.

The disaster occurred when a home-made bomb exploded in a tightly-packed crowd of 500 gathered in the Buga army barracks for Christmas Eve prayers and fireworks. Many of the casualties were women and children. The head included 39 civilians and 12 soldiers. Many of the injured were in a grave condition today and were not expected to live. Immediately after the explosion, police rounded up more than 80 suspects. The disaster was blamed on ‘•criminal hands." possibly an underground terrorist organisation. Local newspaper reporters said the investigators had identified the man who placed the bomb as Gustavo Metz Paraba. a leather worker. He was killed in the explosion. 'United Press International reported. The correspondents said police found quantities of materials used in the bomb in Paraba's home. Officials were unable to confirm the report* when questioned by U P.I. however. The victim* of the homemade bomb were so many that immediate medical aid was not available. On the orders of President Alberto Lleraa Camargo, aid from o’her town* and cities was rushed to the scene. The President personally took charge of the investigations The explosion occurred in the square of an artillery battalion barracks at Buga as a procession of worshippers was bearing a figure of the Infant Jesus to be placed in a manger. The blast nearly destroyed the infirm- • rv. the nffice’-s’ club and other intra Hat ions. Hysterical relative* mobbed the barracks are* seeking news of their famihea. Many families spent Christina* Day

making preparations for funerals. The injured were taken to neighbouring towns and authorities issued urgent appeals for doctors, nurses and volunteer blood donors An international sugar fair, which was to have opened in Cali on Tuesday, was postponed as a sign of mourning for the victim*. The commander of the Colombian armed forces. General Alberto Ruiz Novoa, said the bombing was a criminal act by persons who took advantage of the Christmas Eve celebrations to gain entry to the military installations Political strife in Colombia nominally was settled in 1957 by a truce between the warring Conservative and Liberal Parties after tens of thousands had been killed, but feuds and banditry bad continued in many areas, the Associated Press said. Buga, a flourishing town of about 70.000 people, is about 300 miles south-west of Bogota, in the sugar plantation area of Balle Deipartment.