World condemns ‘heinous act’ in Somalia
China offers support, sympathy as truck bombing death toll rises to at least 276
MOGADISHU, Somalia — China joined an international chorus of condemnation over the truck bombing in the Somali capital of Mogadishu that killed at least 276 people and injured about 300.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang told a daily news briefing that China extended profound sympathy for those killed, and conveyed sincere condolences to the injured and families of victims.
He said China firmly opposed any form of terrorism and supported the efforts made by Somalia in fighting terrorists and safeguarding the country’s security and stability.
China stands ready to enhance cooperation with African countries, including Somalia, in order to jointly cope with the challenges brought about by terrorism and play a constructive role in maintaining peace and security in Africa, he said.
Saturday’s truck bombing, which was followed by another blast in two hours later in the capital’s Medina district, happened in a busy shopping area.
Security officials said hundreds of people were in the area at the time of the blast, with police saying it was difficult to get a precise number of victims because the bodies had been taken to different medical centers while others had been taken directly by their relatives for burial.
It was the deadliest single attack in Somalia’s history. The toll is expected to rise.
Somalia’s government is blaming the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab, Africa’s deadliest Islamic extremist group, which has not commented.
“In the 10 years that I have been working in Mogadishu as a first responder, I have not seen anything like this,” a doctor at Aamin Ambulance Service told VOA News.
The BBC reported that the hotel had collapsed, with people trapped under the rubble.
Hospitals appealed for blood to help save the injured as they struggled to assist badly wounded victims, many burned beyond recognition.
“This is really horrendous, unlike any other time in the past,” said Doctor Mohamed Yusuf, the director of Medina hospital.
President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed declared three days of mourning as the Horn of Africa country reeled under the massive explosion, calling it a “heinous act”.
“Today’s incident was a horrible attack carried out by al-Shabab against innocent civilians that was not aimed at specific Somali government targets,” he said in a televised address to the nation.
“This shows how these violent elements are ruthlessly and indiscriminately targeting innocent people.”
There were angry protests at the scene of the blast on Sunday.
The United Nations’ senior envoy in Somalia, Michael Keating, on Sunday condemned the bombing and said the United Nations and the African Union Mission in Somalia were working closely to support the response by the Somali government and local government authorities in Mogadishu, including providing logistical support, medical supplies and expertise.
The United States, Britain and France were among those who also condemned the attack, while Turkey responded to the request by Somali leaders to send an air ambulance that will fly the injured to Turkey for treatment.
Djibouti, Kenya and Ethiopia have offered to send medical aid to assist the injured, the minister added.