Death toll in Somalia’s bombing rises to 231

epaselect epa06265446 Vehicles burn at the scene of a massive explosion in front of Safari Hotel in the capital Mogadishu, Somalia, 14 October 2017. Reports state at least 20 peole have been killed when a truck bomb went off on a busy street in central Mogadishu. There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the country's Islamist militant group al-Shabab often carries out similar attacks in the capital.  EPA-EFE/SAID YUSUF WARSAME

Bloomberg

The death toll from a truck-bomb blast in
Somalia’s capital climbed to more than 200 people, as the African Union urged greater international backing for
the government’s fight against extremists.
The explosion, the nation’s deadliest single attack, killed at least 231 people and injured 275 others, the Associated Press reported, citing Senator Abshir Abdi Ahmed. The blast
occurred on Saturday
in Mogadishu’s busy central K5 Junction area, damaging buildings including the popular Safari Hotel, according to witnesses. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.
“The barbaric attack points to a trend in which areas known for vibrant activity and thriving businesses are targeted,” the African Union Mission in Somalia said in an emailed statement.
Somali President
Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo declared three days of mourning and ordered flags flown at half-staff after the bombing.

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