Africa

Car Bomb Kills At Least 79, Injures Over 100 In Somalia's Capital City

The country's president blamed terrorist group al-Shabab.

Car Bomb Kills At Least 79, Injures Over 100 In Somalia's Capital City
CNN
SMS

Scores of people are dead and more than 100 are injured after a truck bomb explosion Saturday in Somalia's capital city of Mogadishu. Media reports say 79 people were killed. But an adviser to the mayor's office put the toll at more than 90 people.

It's the worst blast Somalia's seen in over two years. It happened during rush hour at a busy intersection. A police officer told Al Jazeera that the explosion targeted a tax collection center.

No group has claimed responsibility, but the country's president blamed terrorist group Al-Shabab. The group, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, claimed responsibility for a car bombing in Somalia earlier this year and three last year.

Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.