A powerful bomb explosion has rocked Somalia’s capital Mogadishu, killing at least 139 people and injuring scores more, Press TV reports.
Eyewitnesses say the deadly blast occurred when a bomber drove an explosives-laden truck into a gate near a government ministry and detonated it.
At least 93 people were also wounded in the attack.
There are reports of grim scenes of the blast aftermath, with bodies strewn around a government compound in the center of the city near the Ministry of Education where students were reportedly taking an exam.
Eyewitnesses said that the explosion was so huge that it could be heard miles from the scene. Most of the dead and injured are said to be students and other civilians around the area.
Somalia’s Al-Shabab has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack.
Somalia has not had a functioning government since 1991, when warlords overthrew former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre.
The Somali government has struggled for years to restore security but efforts have not yet yielded results in the nation.
Source: Press TV
4 October , 2011
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