Mogadishu (SONNA) – At least 20 people were killed and 30 wounded by a suicide car bomb outside a restaurant near the port in Somalia’s capital Mogadishu late on Friday, an emergency services official said.
The blast sent plumes of smoke into the sky and triggered gunfire, witnesses and state-owned media reported.
Police spokesman Major Sadiq Aden Ali told the national media that the blast resulted in casualties and destroyed houses near the restaurant and that rescue efforts were underway for civilians affected by the explosion.
“So far we have carried 20 dead people and 30 injured from the blast scene,” Dr. Abdulkadir Aden, founder of AAMIN Ambulance services said.
“Last night’s blast ccasualties including deaths and injuries to civilians inside the restaurant, as well as collapse of houses near the blast causing loss of life and property.” Somali Police spokesman said.