YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — At least 19 folks have been injured in an explosion Saturday at a sports activities occasion in southwest Cameroon, authorities mentioned.

Nine athletes competing within the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in Buea city have been injured, in addition to 10 civilians, together with a child, mentioned Bernard Okalia Bikai, governor of the southwest area.

The injured have been taken to Buea regional hospital and are receiving remedy, he advised The Associated Press.

The Central African nation has been stricken by preventing since English-speaking separatists launched a rise up in 2017, with the acknowledged aim of breaking away from the realm dominated by the French-speaking majority nation and establishing an unbiased, English-speaking state.

The authorities has accused the separatists of committing atrocities in opposition to English-speaking civilians. The battle has killed greater than 3,300 folks and displaced greater than 750,000 others, based on the U.N.

One of the separatist teams claimed duty for Saturday’s assault, however mentioned the intention was to hit the army.

“Our primary targets were the Cameroon military who where providing security for the athletes. We regret that civilians were injured. We will continue fighting the military wherever they are until they liberate our territory,” mentioned Capo Daniel, deputy protection chief and spokesman for the Ambazonia Defense Forces..

The annual race was celebrating its fiftieth anniversary with greater than 550 athletes from 13 international locations participating. The race was lower than half-hour in when the explosion despatched runners and spectators fleeing.