Mogadishu blast kills at least 8, dampens day’s celebratory mood

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: At least 8 people were killed and over 5 wounded in an explosion that struck Mogadishu during Monday evening’s rush hours, according to police and witnesses.

The explosion, said to be from an IED blast, ripped through a busy street in the El-Qalow area located in Wadajir district, striking TUK-TUKs and vehicles moving through a traffic jam.

Swift action by members of the medical fraternity and the public saw the transportation of the wounded and the dead to hospitals in the city.

No one has claimed responsibility for last night’s ruthless attacks, which dampened the otherwise celebratory mood that the city had enjoyed during the day when the Somali under-17 national team were being treated to a heroic welcome after winning the CECAFA title.

Last night’s incident showed how Mogadishu still remains highly volatile to terrorist attacks, even as Al-Shabaab, which probably carried out Monday’s explosion, seems to be losing more battle ground in Middle Shabelle and Hiiraan regions.