79 die, several people injured in Somalia bomb explosion

No fewer than 79 people have been killed and about 149 more injured following a massive car bomb explosion at a busy intersection on the outskirts of Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, on Saturday.

Government spokesman Ismael Mukhtar, disclosed that the attacker drove his vehicle into the “Ex-control Afgoye” checkpoint, a well-known junction that links the south of Somalia to the capital.

The attack, which happened during rush hour in the Somali capital at about 8 a.m, claimed lives of civilians and soldiers.

According to Mukhtar, “University students were among the dead.”

Security searches conducted by the police at the scene of the attack revealed a taxation office located nearby and the area was heavily populated with civilians and security forces.

Police have warned that the death toll could rise as many of the wounded have been rushed to hospitals.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has also confirmed two Turkish citizens were among the victims of the attack.

“May Allah’s mercy be upon our 2 citizens and innocent Somali brothers&sisters who lost their lives in the heinous terrorist attack,” Çavuşoğlu said.

He added that Turkey would continue to stand with Somalia in the fight against terror.