Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A powerful explosion outside an airport in the southern Philippines today killed at least 18 people and injured 100 others, authorities said. One American was reported killed and three others were injured.
The blast rocked the Davao airport on the island of Mindanao.
"It was a very, very loud explosion," said Terry Labado, an airport official. "We rushed out of the building to see where the explosion happened. We saw many dead," she said.
An airport security official, who did not want to be identified, said the explosion rocked the front of the terminal building, smashing windows and causing considerable damage.
"It happened ... a few minutes after a Cebu Pacific flight arrived and people packed the waiting area. There were many people killed. I saw six persons killed on the spot," the official said.
It was not immediately clear who was responsible. The military has blamed Moro Islamic Liberation Front rebels for a string of attacks, including one car-bomb explosion at Cotabato airport, following a government offensive that led to the capture of a rebel stronghold on the island last month.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo "strongly condemns the Davao bombing as a brazen act of terrorism which shall not go unpunished."
In a separate incident, an explosion injured two people in Tagum, about 30 kilometers (18 miles) north of Davao.
The rebels have been fighting for a separate Muslim homeland in the impoverished southern Philippines for three decades.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments