Explosion at main passenger terminal at Zamboanga International Airport

An explosion occurred at the main passenger terminal at Zamboanga International Airport (RPMZ/ZAM) in the southern Philippines on 5 August 2010. At least one person was killed and 12 others were injured when a suspected explosive device detonated outside the arrivals area at the terminal around 1800 local time. A Philippine Airlines flight from Manila had just arrived at a nearby gate, and some of the passengers were inside the terminal when the explosion occurred. Unconfirmed reports indicate that a handful of government officials and foreign travelers were among those on the flight, and a local governor from nearby Sulu province sustained minor injuries in the blast. The airport was closed after the incident while airport security agents searched the facility. Investigators stated in their initial assessment they had determined that the lone death was likely a suicide bomber who detonated the explosives. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion, although there is speculation that Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) militants could have staged the bombing in retaliation for the recent arrest of the group's top field commander. The U.S. ambassador to the Philippines is scheduled to travel to Zamboanga City on 6 August, but it is not known if the suspected bombing is related to the diplomatic visit.