Some shocking stories that have already made headlines in 2018
The new year has just started and already there are disasters, tragedies and disturbing stories that will go down in history.
* Suicide bomber kills 11 people in Nigerian mosque
Fourteen worshippers were killed on Wednesday, January 3, when a suicide bomber attacked a mosque on the Nigeria/Cameroon shortly before morning prayers. The mosque was completely destroyed and fourteen bodies were pulled out of the rubble.
* Serious train accident claims 18 lives
Eighteen people burned to death and many more sustained injuries in a collision involving a train and a truck in Kroonstad, Free State on Thursday, January 4. Hundreds of people were injured and Minister of Transport, Joe Maswanganyi said that the truck driver, who survived, had been “taking chances”. The driver survived and police are investigating.
* Tourist killed in crocodile attack
Tourist John Bowman (90) was killed and Rosemary Mitchell (65) seriously injured in a crocodile attack in Zimbabwe’s Matopos National Park in Matabeleland on January 5. The couple were canoeing at a known crocodile hotspot, Mpopoma Dam, when their boat was attacked.
* Trump puts his foot in his mouth
US President Donald Trump refers to Haiti and African nations as ‘shithole’ countries. He was frustrated with lawmakers at the oval office on January 9 when discussing protection of immigrants from Haiti, El Salvador and African countries, as part of an immigration deal.
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* Passport offices closed
Zambia closed its extremely busy main passport offices in Lusaka on January 10 to try to curb the spread of cholera currently sweeping the country. Street vending and public gatherings were also banned. The disease has claimed 67 lives since September last year.
* Parents arrested for shackling and starving their 13 children
A teenage girl called 911 at 6am on January 14 with a disturbing story to tell after escaping from the family home where her parents had been holding her and 12 siblings captive. Her brothers and sisters were at home and she told police that some were chained to their beds. When deputies found the 17-year-old girl, they were confused by her small size and emaciated appearance because she looked to be only 10.
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