Somalia: Death Toll Rises to 300
A truck bomb in Somalia’s capital has on Saturday has left over 300 dead, to date.
Hundreds have been seriously injured, and at least 70 remain missing.
The blast went off in Mogadishu’s crowded city centre, destroying 20 buildings, including a hotel, restaurant and pharmacy.
The truck, packed with hundreds of kilograms of military-grade and homemade explosives, was reportedly detonated by jihadist Islamic group, al-Shabaab.
An affiliate of al-Qaeda, al-Shabaab has been attacking Mogadishu with deadly bombings since their removal from the capital in 2011.
Earlier this year, al-Shabaab vowed to increase attacks after the Trump administration and Somalia’s recently elected president announced renewed military efforts against the group.
Rescue workers have said that there may never be a definitive death toll, because many victims’ remains have been completely destroyed by the intense heat of the blast.
Additionally, the Somali government lacks a proper morgue and the capability to carry out forensic tests to identify burnt victims and body parts.
This is the worst terrorist attack in Somalia’s history.
Image: Soldiers help a wounded civilian [online image] (2017) sourced on 17 October 2017 from https://www.oneindia.com/img/2017/10/xap10-14-2017-000117b-15-1508044008.jpg.pagespeed.ic.QUH-jC5NvN.jpg
