There were 16 unarmed American servicemen, including the driver, near or inside the bus, when Uka approached one of them asking him for a cigarette, according to different reports.
Kishte 16 ushtarakë amerikanë të pa armatosur, përfshirë shoferin, pranë ose brenda autobusit, kur Uka iu afrua njërit prej tyre, duke i kërkuar një cigare, sipas njoftimeve të ndryshme.