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Explosive Device Ignites Fire at Lima’s El Progreso Mall Overnight

Mall leaders cite a year-long extortion campaign targeting merchants.

Overview

  • The blast around 1:00 a.m. on Feb. 3 in Cercado de Lima set part of the complex ablaze, destroying two shops that sold gym products.
  • Initial police findings indicate two assailants arrived on a motorcycle and threw the device, and the PNP has opened a case to identify and capture those responsible.
  • Five Cuerpo de Bomberos units contained the fire, cutting an access hole to reach the seat of the blaze and conducting cooling operations to prevent reignition.
  • Administrators report repeated extortion demands of S/3,000 to S/5,000 per month per merchant, with threats of violence.
  • The attack follows gunshots fired at Gate 1 about a month earlier and occurred during a citywide state of emergency, prompting appeals to national authorities including José Jerí.