An athlete who was taking part in the 2023 Mount Cameroon Race of Hope in Buea (name withheld) has narrated how he miraculously survived an explosion few minutes after the race took off.
He was one of the hundreds of people who witnessed the improvised explosive device (IED) go off at the Biaka Junction in Mbondoma
“As we were taking the corner, it exploded. At first, I thought it was a gunshot, then I realised it was a bomb. It affected my leg, I just thank God I am alive,” he told reporters.
The victim who was taking part in the Junior Male Category says that this did not stop him from continuing with the race — but he admitted that it affected his performance.
“I came at the 26th position, and it’s because of the explosion. I was hoping to be the winner,” he said.
Negligence
The athlete has further revealed how no medical team came to his aid.
Security was reinforced around the area where the explosion occurred with several military vehicles patrolling the site, but “I was not attended to,” he explained.
“No one checked on me, I had to continue running in my state. I am just grateful for my life,” he continued.
Separatists fighting for an independent state called ‘Ambazonia’ had declared a lockdown prior to the mountain race — urging Buea residents to stay indoors and boycott the competition.
Thousands are, however, on the streets to witness the event.
Mimi Mefo Info
