3 killed as fire engulfs Mogadishu market

MOGADISHU: A massive fire destroyed large parts of Mogadishu’s main market on Monday, leaving three people dead, including two children, and several others wounded, police said.

The blaze began early in the morning, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing over the Somali capital as flames devoured market stalls whose hodge-podge placement made it difficult for firefighters to contain the inferno.

“The fire was the worst that I have ever seen. It devastated a large part of the market. Three civilians died, two of them children and several others were also wounded but thanks to God the fire is now under control,” said police official Adam Mohamed.

In another development, a car bomb went off in the Somali capital, wounding three people. It was not immediately clear who was responsible for the explosion. In the past, Al Shabaab has taken responsibility for blasts and gun attacks.— AFP