MOGADISHU, Somalia – Death toll from triple suicide car bomb attacks on popular hotel in Somali capital Mogadishu, has risen to at least 39 people from the initial 22, police said.
Friday’s explosions followed by gun attack hit Sahafi hotel on KM4 main road in the capital, leaving dozens dead, said a police officer Mohamed Hussein.
The hotel is adjacent the country’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) building, Hussein said.
Hussein added Sahafi hotel is popular with lawmakers and other senior government officials.
He says four armed attackers were all killed before storming into the hotel.
#UPDATE: Death toll rises 39 people, 100 others injured after triple suicide bomb attacks on Sahafi hotel in #Somali capital #Mogadishu – Police #Somaliahttps://t.co/aHamDJuTyH Friday’s explosions claimed by #AlShabaab. pic.twitter.com/API0Ija2xy
— Live From Mogadishu (@Mogadishu_News) November 10, 2018
Friday’s bomb attacks also left 100 others injured, mostly civilians on minibuses.
Mangled buses and cars disfigured heaps.
The bomb blasts were claimed by Al-Shabaab.
The Al Qaeda linked group in Somalia says it carried out suicide attacks on Sahafi hotel and CID headquarters in Mogadishu.
Faisa, Mohamed, a tea seller, said the explosions were huge and destroyed neighboring buildings.
Mohamed said she had seen charred bodies laying the front gate of the hotel, following explosions.
“I joined in rescue workers and pulled many dead bodies from the cars,” she said.
UN and Turkey have strongly condemned the dreadful suicide attacks on the hotel in the capital, killing 39 people, mainly civilians.
In a statement, Turkey denounced the attacks rocked Mogadishu on Friday, causing death and injury of dozens of people.
“We wish God’s mercy upon those who lost their lives, a speedy recovery to the wounded ones”, said in a statement by Turkey’s FM.
Turkey’s FM conveyed its condolences to the friendly and brotherly government and people of Somalia.
Meanwhile, UN chief António Guterres has strongly condemned Friday’s bomb attacks in Somali capital, according to a statement.
The Secretary General reiterated “the support and solidarity of the United Nations with Somalia and its people.
António Guterres has sent his deepest and profound condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured,” said the memo.
#UPDATE: Death toll from #Mogadishu bombings rises to at least 25 people, 45 others injured, mostly civilians as #AlShabaab says carried out suicide attack on Sahafi hotel in Somali capital. pic.twitter.com/9ivjB8kMW4
— Live From Somalia (@Tuuryare_Africa) November 9, 2018
The deadliest group in Africa – Al-Shabaab has been fighting the UN and internationally-backed government of Somalia.
The group, which once controlled much of Somali capital in 2011, wants to topple the weak-western backed government of Somalia.
Somalia has been engulfed by violence and lawlessness since dictator Mohamed Siad Barre was toppled in the early 1990s.
Reporting by Abdirisak Mohamud Tuuryare from Mogadishu, Somalia
