Three deadly bomb blasts rock Mogadishu

Three heavy bombs rocked Mogadishu Friday afternoon with possible heavy casualty toll as rescue teams and ambulances moved to evacuate people.

The first blast went off around the first checkpoint to the airport at around 4.25 pm local time and shortly followed by a second out about three minutes later.

The third blast which reportedly hit Hayat Hotel just within the chekpoint area went of at 4.45 pm local time.

Images from the scene show thick white plumes. There was sustained gunfire with fears that the subsequent bombs could have been rigged to target rescue teams.

The casualty figures are yet to be established.

More to follow.