Death toll in Somalia market bomb blast rises to 32

Police Captain Adan Haji told the Anadolu Agency yesterday that a security operation launched after the blast resulted in the arrest of four Al-Shabaab suspects

Wounded people are carried to an ambulance after a bomb-laden vehicle attacked a marketplace in Moghadishu, Somalia on February 19, 2017 [Sadak Mohamed / Anadolu Agency]

People inspect the damaged car after a bomb-laden vehicle attacked a marketplace in Moghadishu, Somalia on February 19, 2017 [Sadak Mohamed / Anadolu Agency]

People gather at site after a bomb-laden vehicle attacked a marketplace in Moghadishu, Somalia on February 19, 2017 [Sadak Mohamed / Anadolu Agency]

Damaged shops are seen after a bomb-laden vehicle attacked a marketplace in Moghadishu, Somalia on February 19, 2017 [Sadak Mohamed / Anadolu Agency]

The death toll from a car bombing at a busy market in the Somali capital has risen to 32 with 50 others injured, according to an update from officials this morning.

The commissioner of Wadajir district in Mogadishu told the Anadolu Agency that the car bomb, which exploded yesterday, targeted a crowded restaurant.

“At least 32 people were killed including Somali government soldiers. The explosion also destroyed shops and buildings around the scene,” Abdullahi Ahmed Afrah said.

Mogadishu’s main Medina hospital and local paramedics also confirmed the death toll.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo, who was elected by parliament earlier this month, visited the hospital overnight and pledged his government’s support for the victims of the deadly attack.

“I want to say as the president of the nation, the government will pay the health care of the wounded people of the barbaric attack by Al-Shabaab terrorist group, my government will work to get overseas treatment for those who are critically wounded,” Farmajo told reporters during his visit.

Police Captain Adan Haji told the Anadolu Agency yesterday that a security operation launched after the blast resulted in the arrest of four Al-Shabaab suspects.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but the Somali rebel group Al-Shabaab is thought to be behind the bombing.

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