At least 230 people were killed in a massive bomb attack in the Somali capital Mogadishu, and the death toll is expected to rise, according to police.
Over 500 casualties in total were reported after a truck packed with explosives exploded near the entrance of a hotel, in what has been confirmed as Somalia’s deadliest terror attack in decades. It is one of the most lethal terror attacks anywhere in the world in many years.
The death toll from the massive truck bomb in Mogadishu has surpassed 200, making it Somalia’s deadliest ever blast. #sun7 pic.twitter.com/M1q4jlWMLz
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) October 15, 2017
“Brothers, this cruel act was targeted at civilians who were going about their business,” said President Abdullahi Mohamed, who blamed the attacks on the Islamist al-Shabab group.
“Oh, people of Mogadishu, Mogadishu shouldn’t be a graveyard for burnt dead bodies,” said Mogadishu’s mayor Thabit Abdi.
“Mogadishu is a place of respect, and if we remain united like we are today, moving ahead, we will surely defeat the enemy, Allah willing.”
Photos from the scene. In our 10 year experience as the first responder in #Mogadishu, we haven’t seen anything like this. pic.twitter.com/cNxeDD86u6
— Aamin Ambulance (@AaminAmbulance) October 15, 2017
President Mohamed declared three days of mourning, and was photographed giving blood for victims. He encouraged other Somalians to do the same. “I am appealing to all Somali people to come forward and donate,” he said.
Pres Farmajo “Today’s horrific attack proves our enemy would stop nothing to cause our people pain and suffering. Lets unite against terror. pic.twitter.com/YcMtV5TcOC
— Villa Somalia (@TheVillaSomalia) October 14, 2017
According to The Guardian, rescue workers on the ground said it would be difficult to establish an exact death toll, as
“the intense heat generated by the blast meant the remains of many people would never be found.”
Mogadishu has been struck with a number of bombings in recent years, but none have been as devastating as this one. We’ll keep you updated.
