Priest among six killed in second attack on Burkina Faso churches

Gunmen also set fire to the church in northern region of West African state plagued by militancy

epa06575783 Smoke rises in the streets amidst a suspected terrorist attack in the capital Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 02 March 2018. According to reports at least 28 people have been killed in the attacks on the French embassy and miltary HQ in Ouagadougou. It is yet unclear who stands behind the attacks.  EPA/STR
Powered by automated translation

Gunmen killed a priest and five worshippers during Sunday mass at a Roman Catholic church in Dablo, northern Burkina Faso, a week after a deadly attack on another church in region.

"Towards 9am during mass, armed individuals burst into the Catholic church," said Ousmane Zongo, the Mayor of Dablo. "They started firing as the congregation tried to flee."

The gunmen trapped some of the churchgoers, Mr Zongo said.

"They killed five of them," he said.

The attackers set fire to the church, several shops and a small cafe before heading to the local health centre, which they looted, Mr Zongo said. They also burnt the chief nurse's vehicle.

A security source said between 20 and 30 gunmen carried out the attack.

Sunday's attack was the latest of a series carried out against Christian churches in Burkina Faso.

Last Sunday, gunmen killed five people in an attack on a Protestant church in the small northern town of Silgadji.