Abu Dhabi: A top government official says three Emiratis have been wrongly linked to a deadly bombing of a church in Tanzania contrary to newswire reports out of the African country.
A government source told Gulf News, “Authorities in the UAE have received confirmations through official channels that the investigations undertaken by security in Tanzania showed no connection between the three Emiratis in question and the bombing, which took place at a church in Arusha city during a mass service.”
The source said that “the UAE is following up with the three Emiratis through diplomatic channels ever since they were taken in for investigations at a police station close to the bombing site. The UAE embassy is awaiting their arrival as soon as the case is closed and they are released”.
According to media reports, the three unidentified Emiratis were taken into custody following Sunday’s bombing when they tried to cross the border.
Five Tanzanian nationals were also arrested for the attack which killed three people and injured as many as 60.
“There are three nationals of the United Arab Emirates and a Saudi... they were arrested while trying to cross the border” into Kenya, Arusha’s governor Magesa Mulongo told AFP.
As of press time, none of the arrested in custody had been charged pending investigation.
“Investigations are continuing. They are only suspects at this time. They can be released or brought to trial, it will depend on the results of the investigations,” said the governor.
Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete described the incident as “an act of terrorism” and the worst in recent memory.
The church, reported AFP, is in Olasti district on the outskirts of Arusha, and was celebrating its inaugural mass at the time and was filled with worshippers, many of whom were sitting on benches outside.
Arusha is a town popular with tourists visiting the Serengeti national park and snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Vatican’s ambassador to Tanzania, Archbishop Francisco Montecillo Padilla, was among those attending mass at the church but was not harmed.
Officials have given no indication as to who might have carried out the attack, but tensions have been high between Tanzania’s Christian and Muslim communities in recent months.
Kikwete, who said he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the incident, has called on people to remain calm while police investigate the attack.
Around half of Tanzanians are believed to be Christian, and around a third Muslim, although there are no official figures.
In neighbouring Kenya — whose troops invaded southern Somalia in 2011, prompting warnings of revenge by the Al Qaida linked Al Shabab insurgents — several churches have been targeted in attacks similar to the Arusha blast.
With inputs from AFP
