A huge blast was heard in the center of Mogadisho. According media reports, a car exploded on a busy street in the capital of Somalia, causing an unknown number of casualties.
CBC News reported that the attack targeted a hotel on the central street.
“It was a truck bomb. It exploded at the K5 Junction,” Mohamed Hussein, a police officer, as cited by Reuters. He referred to an area in the capital that is lined with government offices, hotels, restaurants and shops.
#Mogadishu: largest explosion to date, kills at least 20 people in city center near international embassies #Somalia pic.twitter.com/onA0dW6Q9B
— Kristina Dei 📡 (@2kdei) October 14, 2017
A powerful explosion in the Somali capital Mogadishu and reports of casualties#BREAKING #News #Iraq #Syria #Somalia pic.twitter.com/VDxlOfzihQ
— Le Franc Mac (@lefrancmac) October 14, 2017
Huge explosion destroyed near by building in Zope intersection, busiest intersection in Mogadishu. Number of casualties not known yet. pic.twitter.com/2hwQV9XqEH
— Falastine Iman (@falastiniman) October 14, 2017
Conflicting media reports suggest that the death toll of the attack ranges from 10 to 20 people. Dozens were injured.
"We know that at least 20 civilians are dead while dozens of others are wounded," Abdullahi Nur, a police officer who was in the area, said.
"The death toll will surely rise. We are still busy transporting casualties," he added.
#UPDATE: At least 10 people dead, scores injured in suicide blast on busy road in #Mogadishu — Media reports #Somalia pic.twitter.com/rltu2U2GuA
— Live From Somalia (@Tuuryare_Africa) October 14, 2017
After an explosion a massive fire broke out. Twitter users report that smoke and flames have risen from several buildings nearby.
BREAKING: A massive fire broke out @ cntrl #Mogadishu. Smoke n flames rise from several buildings. Firefighters r heading there 2 tackle it pic.twitter.com/cELIvAFxX2
— Abdifitah Ibrahim (@Agayare) October 14, 2017
Emergency services and ambulances arrived at the scene.
We can't give any update yet due to the massive casualties of the explosion. Stay tune @AaminAmbulance #Mogadishu pic.twitter.com/YbP0QyTJBT
— Aamin Ambulance (@AaminAmbulance) October 14, 2017
Shortly after the first blast the second explosion was reported in Mogadishu's Wadajir disctict.
#BREAKING: Within 30 minutes two explosions rocked in Mogadishu's Hodan and Wadajir district. #Somalia
— Somalia Live Update (@HassanIstiila) October 14, 2017
There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The place is zoobe in mogadisha after huge bomb blast at Zoobe Junction #mogadishu #somalia pic.twitter.com/rLx6wcveFl
— Muniita Maanka (@muniita_maanka) October 14, 2017
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