Gov’t to offset medical bills of bomb victims-PM

The Federal Government will offset medical costs for those injured during the twin bombings in Mogadishu Thursday, Prime Minister Hassan Khaire has said.

Responding to questions from journalists at the scene of the deadly attack at Maka al Mukarama Saturday, Information Minister Dahir Geele said the PM pledged Friday that the government would clear the bills.

“During a visit with the Prime Minister to those injured in hospitals within the city yesterday, the Prime Minister pledged the government will meet the medical costs of all those affected,” Geele said. Geele added the government will also airlift those who may have been adversely injured and cannot be treated locally.

About 30 people died and more than 100 others were injured in the bombings which hit the busy Maka al Mukarama street Thursday evening. The number of dead could rise as recovery teams move the rubble from collapsed buildings. One body was recovered this morning in addition to another last evening following the conclusion of the over 20 hours siege.

Geele said there was not yet information regarding the quantity of the bombs and vehicles used during the attack. It took 22 hours to bring down the Al-Shabaab militants who were holed up in one of the buildings near Maka al Mukarama Hotel.

Some buildings collapsed while others were heavily destroyed by the impact of the bomb and fire.