International Christian Concern reports that St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church in Tanzania's northern city of Arusha was bombed on Sunday, May 5. At least two people are confirmed dead as a result of the blast. The BBC reported that as many as 50 people were wounded, including 44 of whom received serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. "When it exploded there was a stampede, people running in all directions, walking over each other, children were screaming and women crying," a witness said. "I saw a dead woman trampled; I think even her two children were killed in the same way," another witness added. Tanzania's president, Jakaya Kikwete, has condemned the bombing as an "act of terrorism," and has vowed to bring those responsible to justice. So far, eight suspects have been arrested, including four Tanzanians and four Saudi foreign nationals. Worshipers have accused the authorities of failing to protect them as they attended church. William Stark, ICC's regional manager for Africa, said: "These acts of terror must be seen as a series of escalating events that will continue to escalate unless action is taken by the Tanzanian government. Arresting and prosecuting the perpetrators of this bombing is commendable, but the government must take steps to ensure that these types of attacks are not repeated."
