Militants attacked a bus full of civilians heading to the market in central Mali, killing dozens of citizens. 

The attackers, unidentified to this moment, shot the driver first before setting the entirety of the vehicle on fire, according to the authorities. 

31 victims at least were counted thus far, with the number prone to rise.

The bus was making its journey from the village of Songo to a market in Bandiagara, located 10km away. 

The majority of the victims were women heading to their work at the market.

According to the Mayor of Bankass, a nearby town, the terrorists "shot at the vehicle, slashed the tires, and shot at the people".

The attack occurred at the heart of Mali’s Mopti region, which has been witnessing increasing violence in the past few months due to the presence of al-Qaeda and IS terrorist groups.

These attacks have surged in the country following two military coups in 16 months, leading to a weakened central government.