BUJUMBURA, Burundi (AP) — Gunmen fired at a Sabena passenger jet as it was approaching to land in war-wracked Burundi's capital, slightly injuring two people on board, officials with the Belgian airline said Tuesday.
An Airbus 330-200 carrying 158 passengers and 12 crew members was landing at Bujumbura airport for a scheduled stop en route from Brussels to Nairobi, Kenya, on Monday night when it was hit by machine-gun fire at an altitude of 330 feet, spokesman Wilfried Remans said.
The airliner was hit by seven bullets, one of them striking a wing, Remans said in Brussels. A Tunisian passenger and a flight attendant were injured by pieces of metal that flew through the cabin, he said.
Authorities immediately sealed off access to the tarmac and the airport's sole runway, which is used by both military and civilian planes. Flight SN877 landed safely but was unable to continue.
"An investigation was held that proved the armed bands were guilty of the attack for publicity reasons. The security forces reacted immediately, neutralizing the assailants," Minister of Communications Luc Rukingama said.
He said security had been increased at the airport, and it remained open.
Rebels and government forces are locked in a seven-year civil war that has killed 200,000 people.