4 die, 4 hurt in Isabela blast

ROXAS, ISABELA, Philippines — Four people, including three boys, died while four others were wounded when a reported rifle grenade exploded in Sitio Raniag, Barangay Sinamar, this town, on Sunday morning, police said.

Among the fatalities were an 8-year-old Grade 3 pupil and his 85-year-old grandmother. Witnesses said they heard a loud explosion and later found the victims sprawled on the ground.

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Police eventually determined the type of explosive device involved. The children had reportedly been playing with a metallic object believed to be an improvised explosive device shortly before the blast. —Villamor Visaya Jr.