A massive truck bomb has exploded near a police base in the western Libyan town of Zliten, killing at least 60 young police recruits and wounding around 200 others, officials said.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for Thursday’s attack but a local Islamic State affiliate has been trying to gain a foothold in Zliten, spreading westward from its central stronghold in the city of Sirte along the North African country’s coast.
“It was horrific, the explosion was so loud it was heard from miles away,” Mayor Miftah Hamadi said, his voice choked with emotion. “All the victims were young, and all about to start their lives.”
Mourners stand next to the coffins of people killed in a truck bombing in the north-western coastal city of Zliten, Libya, on Thursday. Photo: EPA
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The charred remains of a vehicle lay strewn across the ground near the police academy building. Parked cars were mangled by the force of the blast.
The UN special envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, denounced the attack and urged Libyans to “put their differences aside and unite to confront the scourge of terrorism.” UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack as well as ongoing attacks by the Islamic State group on oil facilities near Sidra and called for a national unity government as “the best way for Libyans to confront terrorism in all its forms.”
Libyans gather at the site of the bombing on a police academy in Libya's coastal city of Zliten. Photo: AFP
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The bombing was yet another reminder for Libyans that “urgent progress is required” toward empowering a unity government and rebuilding state bodies, Kobler said in a statement.
