The Latest: Rebel group denies role in Colombia bombing

BOGOTA – The latest on deadly explosion in upscale mall in tourist district of Colombia’s capital (all times local):

9:25 p.m.

The biggest still active rebel group in Colombia is denying it had any role in a bombing that killed three people and injured nine others at an upscale mall in the capital.

Members of the National Liberation Army have carried out several recent attacks in Bogota, but the group said it was not involved in the explosion at the Centro Andino in the heart of the city’s tourism zone.

Negotiators for the rebel group at peace talks say in a Twitter message that people shouldn’t make “unfounded and reckless accusations.” They say that could derail its negotiations with the government.

___

8:25 p.m.

Colombian authorities now say three people, including a French woman, have been killed in a powerful explosion at one of the busiest shopping centres in the South American nation’s capital.

Officials say nine more people have injuries from Saturday’s blast at the upscale Centro Andino in the heart of Bogota’s tourist district.

Mayor Enrique Penalosa is calling it a “cowardly terrorist bombing.”

Witnesses have told of being evacuated from movie theatres and stores after a blast in a second-floor women’s’ bathroom. Ambulances and firetrucks rushed to the scene and the injured were taken to a hospital, where two later died.