Somalia - Mogadishu bomb death toll update

Fifty-seven believed killed in hotel blast

Article published on the 2009-12-03 Latest update 2009-12-03 15:44 TU

Three ministers died in the latest bombing in Mogadishu
(Photo: Wikipedia)

As many as 57 people died in Thursday's blast at a hotel in Mogadishu, according to the latest estimates. Three Somali government ministers were killed. The African Union force in Somalia, Amisom, says that the attack was the work of a suicide bomber.

The explosion occured during a graduation ceremony for at the Shamo hotel for 43 medical students from the Banadir University. Most of the victims were students.

Higher Education Minister Ibrahim Hassan Addow and Health Minister Qamar Aden died instantly.

Education Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Waayel died of his wounds shortly after the blast, a senior government official said. Sports Minister Suleyman Olad Roble was injured and is reported to be in a critical condition.

Government sources say that the blast was the work of a suicide bomber who walked into the function, reports local journalist Abdurrahman Warsameh, who adds that some officials say that the attacker may may have been a woman. The Information Ministry believes the bomber was a man dressed as a woman, an official told RFI.

According to news agency reports, two journalists, one from Shabele Radio and another from Al Arabiya television, and a medical doctor were also killed.

RFI's correspondent Mohammad Sheikh Nur was present when the blast took place but was not injured.