In-telligent Emergency Alerts Feed

A blast caused by an explosive device has killed at least three people and injured two others in Pakistan's Balochistan province. The attack took place despite heightened city security due to a large political rally being held by opposition parties several miles away. The explosive was planted in a motorcycle and detonated at a vegetable market Sunday afternoon. Luckily, the market had largely closed. The area has seen conflict with Baloch separatists who want more autonomy and greater share of Balochistan's resources for decades. There are also issues with Islamist groups operating in the region. However, nobody immediately took responsibility for the attack. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/blast-kills-3-in-pakistan-city-hosting-opposition-rally/articleshow/78861057.cms

According to President Muhammadu Buhari, at least 69 people have died in the End SARS protests in Nigeria. The majority of the victims were civilians, but 11 police officers and seven soldiers have also been killed in the unrest. The protests started on October 7th and are just now beginning to subside, after a group that was key in organizing the protests advised protesters to follow the curfews and stay home. However, there is still unrest in some cities as people seek justice for those who have been killed over the past two weeks. The city of Lagos has been under a 24-hour curfew, but officials say that they intend to lift it on Saturday. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54666368

At least five people are dead and 20 injured after an explosion in Karachi, Pakistan. The blast destroyed two stories of the four-story building and seven of those injured are in critical condition, leading officials to believe that the death toll may rise. The bomb disposal squad and anti-terrorism officials have yet to determine the cause of the explosion but say that there is no evidence of an improvised explosive device and that an initial investigation indicated that there may have been a gas leak. Security forces have cordoned off the area as investigations and search and rescue operations continue. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/3-killed-15-injured-in-karachi-explosion/articleshow/78782569.cms

According to authorities, at least one person has died and about 25 others were injured after police opened fire on a group of protesters in Lagos, Nigeria. However, according to some sources, as many as 12 may have died in the incident. The protesters had gathered at the lekki toll gate to participate in the ongoing End SARS demonstrations that aim to curb police brutality in the county. According to an unnamed eye-witness account the victims were peacefully protesting when police "pulled up... and they started firing directly" at them. An indefinite 24-hour curfew remains in effect across Lagos, as well as in other regions. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54624611

Eight people have been hospitalized for smoke inhalation after a fire broke out at a construction site in Singapore Tuesday morning. According to the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), the fire occurred at about 10:40 a.m. and "involved building materials placed in the basement area of the construction site, affect[ing] an area of 10m by 10m." The SCDF also stated that the victims were taken to Ng Teng Fong Hospital. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/fire-west-coast-vale-whistler-grand-condo-construction-site-scdf-13320848

Sixteen people have died after a landslide buried a passenger bus under tons of rock and mud in Pakistan on Sunday; nobody who was on board survived. Rescue personnel searched for hours in hopes of uncovering survivors, but the effort was called off after they recovered all 16 bodies. The bus was pushed into a ditch and buried while travelling to Skardu, which is the gateway to K2 mountain and is about 150 miles north of Karachi. Traffic accidents are relatively common in Pakistan, particularly in mountainous regions such as this, due to poor infrastructure and a lack of enforcement of safety standards. Landslides caused by heavy rainfall are also common in the country and often cause widespread damage in mountainous areas. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/landslide-northern-pakistan-buries-bus-15-onboard-73676896

At least 14 people are dead after an attack on an oil company convoy in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Security detail was escorting the convoy from Gwadar to Karachi when they were attacked by "a large number of terrorists" who killed seven soldiers and seven private security guards. Baloch Raaji Aajoi Sangar (BRAS), an umbrella organization of Baloch separatists, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Balochistan has seen decades of conflict with separatists who demand independence, claiming that Pakistan has created a monopoly in the region and is exploiting their resources. The area surrounding the attack is now sealed off as officials search for the assailants. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/15/asia/pakistan-convoy-attack-intl/index.html

At least 50 people, including 11 in Hyderabad, have died in Telangana state, India, after several days of torrential downpours caused widespread flooding. According to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), this is the most severe flooding they've had in the area since as far back as 1916, leading to several municipalities being submerged. In neighboring Karnataka, flooding is worsening in northern parts of the state as they've been experiencing similar torrential rains and have had to release water from dams. Officials have announced a compensation of 5 lakh (500,000) rupees to the families of the deceased. Additionally, new houses will be built to replace those that have been completely destroyed and financial assistance will be available to those whose houses were partially damaged. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/torrential-rains-in-telangana-leave-50-dead-flood-situation-in-karnataka-worsens/story-jsAlnFUHrb4Yqh40y3crcK.html

According to Amnesty International, police have killed at least ten people during the ongoing protests in Nigeria. The protests are calling for the abolition of the country's Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) after a recent video surfaced of an officer killing a man who had been detained. In another statement by Amnesty International, they said: "The excessive use of force by the police in response to the protests reveals the longstanding disregard for the right to life by Nigerian security forces." According to inspector general of police, Mohammed Adamu, there are plans to dissolve SARS and replace it with a new unit that will be known as Special Weapons and Tactics, or SWAT. Adamu also said that former police officers from SARS will be included in the new unit but will have to undergo psychological and medical examinations to ensure that they are fit to take part. https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/13/africa/nigeria-police-sars-victims-intl/index.html

Fourteen civilians were killed during a gunfight between police and armed attackers in Zacatecas state, Mexico. In addition to those dead, three police and several other civilians were injured in the incident. The attack occurred about 25 kilometers north of the capitol in Calera, where the gunmen opened fire on police patrolling the area. After the fighting stopped, police were able to recover three vehicles, eight rifles, a grenade launcher and ammunition. Unfortunately, acts of violence in the area aren't entirely uncommon. As recently as October 5th, 12 people were found murdered just outside of the Zacatecas border. https://www.en24.news/2020/10/zacatecas-under-fire-14-people-died-in-a-confrontation-between-police-and-an-armed-group.html