Death toll in Mogadishu blasts rises to 25

Authorities in Somalia say the death toll from two explosions near a Mogadishu hotel late Friday has risen to 25 people. Duniya Ali Mohamed of Media Hospital said eight of 34 people admitted to the hospital died of serious wounds sustained in the blasts. Three more bodies were pulled out from houses damaged by the […]

Authorities in Somalia say the death toll from two explosions near a Mogadishu hotel late Friday has risen to 25 people.
Duniya Ali Mohamed of Media Hospital said eight of 34 people admitted to the hospital died of serious wounds sustained in the blasts.
Three more bodies were pulled out from houses damaged by the massive car bombs near the SYL hotel.
Nearly 60 others were wounded in the attack, in which gunmen also forced their way onto the hotel grounds and traded fire with security guards.
The hotel is located across the street from Somalia’s presidential palace, Villa Somalia, and is frequented by government officials.
Islamist militant group Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attacks. Security sources say that the militants used more than 200 kilograms of explosives in the first bomb, which struck a checkpoint.