Authorities: Vehicle explosion leaves 7 dead in Colombia

BOGOTA – A public transportation vehicle suddenly exploded on a highway in Colombia, killing seven people, authorities said Tuesday.

The incident happened Monday evening as the vehicle was travelling from Pasto en route to Cali in southwestern Colombia.

Gen. Jorge Isaacs Hoyos said investigators have discarded the possibility of a terror attack, but did not provide a cause of the explosion or give an exact description of the vehicle.

The explosion also set two other vehicles on fire, one travelling in front and the other behind, resulting in several injuries.

Colombia’s El Tiempo newspaper reported investigators are examining whether the vehicle may have been carrying explosives, potentially for illegal mining or other criminal purposes.