At least two people were seriously injured after a minibus hit an improvised explosive device (IED) in Bankass Cercle, Bandiagara Commune, in Mali’s central Mopti Region, local media reported.

The incident happened on Monday but was only reported on Tuesday.

The driver of the minibus and his apprentice were reportedly injured. The explosion also left the vehicle damaged.

Mali’s central regions have recently been experiencing a surge in violence perpetrated by militants linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) groups.