Somalia: Suicide attack kills over 20, wounds 18 others

By Mohammed Dhaysane and Hassan Istilla

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AA) - Over 20 people were killed more than 18 others wounded when a truck full of explosives exploded at the busiest intersection in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday afternoon, police said.

"The truck exploded at the KM5 injunction,” also known as Zobe, Ali Mohamed, a policeman at the scene, told Anadolu Agency over the phone.

“The explosion caused massive destruction to buildings, including shops, restaurants, and hotels, and civilian vehicles were in flames."

He described the suicide truck attack as largest and deadliest attack in the recent history of the Horn of Africa nation.

Omar Ibrahim, 25, a driver and eyewitness, told Anadolu Agency "I saw huge destruction and dead bodies lying around the scene."

Security forces, ambulances, and government officials reached the site as emergence services were still treating casualties, another eyewitness told Anadolu Agency.

Local media reported that the death toll had risen to 50 people, but that figure is unconfirmed.

No group has yet claimed responsibly for the attack, but insurgent group al-Shabaab had claimed recent attacks in Somalia.