Southern Philippines festival blast kills 1, wounds dozens

A bomb attack killed one person and wounded at least 36 more at a festival in the southern Philippines on Tuesday, according to officials. It was the second deadly blast in the region in under a month.

The powerful device detonated near a night market in the town of Isulan, sending festival-goers fleeing in terror, AFP reported.

“It was loud, we immediately left the area but I can’t forget the images of a young girl carried by her father, her shirt covered in blood,” said a witness.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but officials suspect the involvement of Islamist militants.

“It’s obvious that the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters with links to ISIS has the strongest desire to initiate these kind of attacks”, said Army Captain Arvin Encinas.

Officials said two other bombs were found in the area and defused.