Dozens killed in Tuesday shooting at Mali paramilitary school

By Oumar Sankare

BAMAKO, Mali (AA) – Dozens were killed in a shooting at a gendarmerie school in Mali, including trainee paramilitary soldiers, security sources told Anadolu on Thursday.

At least "80 people had been killed and over 250 wounded" in the attack, the source said on the condition of anonymity about the attack early Tuesday on the Faladie Gendarmerie School in the capital Bamako.

The source said the death toll could rise further as several people are critically wounded and receiving treatment at health facilities.

Some of the gendarmerie students among the casualties were in their dormitory when the attack took place, said a parent of a victim. At least 50 of the victims were laid to rest on Thursday.

The attack began around 5.30 a.m. (0530GMT) and continued for at least three hours.

The Mali military administration had also shut down the Bamako International Airport, where videos showed an armed assailant shooting at a World Food Program plane.

Sources at the airport said the attackers also damaged the presidential jet.

Military authorities made some arrests regarding the attack.

The attack prompted condemnation from several African nations, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, and the EU diplomatic mission in Bamako.

*Writing by Riyaz ul Khaliq in Istanbul