MOGADISHU, 3 December 2009 (Somalilandpress) – A powerfull hotel blast has killed atleast 20 people including three top officials from the transitional government of Somalia today in Mogadishu.
The Minister of Culture & Higher Education, Prof. Ibrahim Adow, Minister of Education, Mr. Ahmed Wayel and Minister of Health, Ms. Qamar Aden were among those killed in the deadly hotel bombing. The Minister of Sports, Mr. Suleiman Olad, is part of scores of others wounded in the attack.
The suicide occured in Hotel Shamo during Banadir University graduation ceremony. The suicider wearing explosive strap blew him self after security forces failed to apprehend him.
Most of the dead are believed to be students. Two journalists, a reporter for Radio Shabelle and a cameraman with al-Arabia TV, were also among the dead. The death toll is expected to rise as many of the wounded are in critical situation.
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No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and there is no official statement from the government.
[photo: Local journalist Abdulkadir Ali is assisted after the explosion in Mogadishu, Somalia, 03 Dec 2009/AP]
Somalilandpress
