Ziguinchor, Senegal - 7 soldiers, 2 students die as rocket hits Senegalese military truck - Seven soldiers and two students died on Tuesday when a military truck belonging to Senegalese army crashed into a house shortly after being hit by a rocket, PANA learnt from reliable sources.

The sources said the truck was carrying reinforcement to a contingent of the Senegalese army, under attack by men suspected to be members of the separatist rebels of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC), when the rocket hit it.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a house as seven soldiers died on the spot as well as the two students who lived in the house.

The southern region of Senegal has recently been the scene of violent clashes between the MFDC rebels and the Senegalese army.

The Senegalese army has continued to send reinforcements to the combat zone in addition to troops and logistics on the ground, a helicopter and a reconnaissance aircraft.

Pana 22/12/2011