
FBI Honors Victims on Anniversary of 1998 East African Embassy Bombings
Nairobi/Dar es Salaam, August 7, 2025 — On this day in 1998, twin bombings shattered the peace of East Africa when near-simultaneous explosions targeted the United States embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The devastating attacks claimed the lives of 224 innocent people and left thousands injured, leaving a permanent scar on the collective memory of both nations and the world.
In Nairobi, the blast destroyed the embassy building and heavily damaged surrounding structures, while in Dar es Salaam, a similar explosion caused widespread destruction. The attacks, orchestrated by the al-Qaeda terrorist network, marked one of the deadliest coordinated terrorist operations in Africa’s history and signaled the rise of global terrorism.
In the aftermath, over 900 FBI agents were deployed to Kenya and Tanzania to aid in rescue efforts, collect evidence, and support the local authorities in a complex international investigation that eventually led to several arrests and convictions.
On the 27th anniversary of the tragedy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released a statement honoring the victims and survivors of the East African Embassy Bombings. “The FBI remembers and mourns the lives lost on August 7, 1998,” the statement reads. “We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism and working with international partners to ensure that those who commit such acts of violence are brought to justice.”
Memorial events have been held in both Nairobi and Dar es Salaam to remember the victims, with families, dignitaries, and U.S. embassy officials laying wreaths and sharing messages of resilience and remembrance.
The attacks served as a grim precursor to the growing threat posed by international terrorism and remain a solemn reminder of the importance of global cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.