Deadly minibus blast in Moldovan breakaway region

An explosion has ripped through a crowded minibus in Moldova’s breakaway Trans – Dniester region killing eight people and injuring some 20 others. Officials say they are not ruling out the possiblity a bomb had been planted on the vehicle. With tension rising with Moldova there is speculation the blast in the separatist capital was a first ever act of terrorism in the region. Trans-Dniester unilaterally declared independence in 1990 over apparent fears Moldova´s Romanian majority was seeking a union with Romania.

The rebels fought a short war with Moldova two years later. Russian troops stepped in separating the rival sides – all subsequent mediation efforts have failed.

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