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Somalia: At least 20 dead in Mogadishu blast Somalia: At least 20 dead in Mogadishu blast
(35 minutes later)
At least 20 people have been killed in a massive blast that tore through one of the busiest junctions in Somalia's capital Mogadishu. A massive bomb attack in a busy area of the Somali capital Mogadishu has killed at least 20 people, police say.
A truck packed with explosives detonated at the entrance of a hotel, security official Mohamed Adan told Reuters news agency. Many others were wounded when a lorry packed with explosives detonated near the entrance of a hotel.
Police captain Mohamed Hussein said more than 15 were injured, AP reports. Images from the scene show the area has been completely devastated. Police say the death toll may rise.
Police officials have warned the death toll may rise. It is not yet known who was behind the blast. It is not clear who staged the attack. Mogadishu is a regular target for the al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab group, which is battling the government.
Capt Hussein earlier confirmed to Reuters: "It was a truck bomb. It exploded at the K5 Junction. There are casualties but we do not know the exact amount as the scene is still burning." Police captain Mohamed Hussein told Reuters news agency: "It was a truck bomb. There are casualties but we do not know the exact amount as the scene is still burning."
Mogadishu resident Muhidin Ali said it was "the biggest blast I have ever witnessed, it destroyed the whole area". Witnesses told the BBC they believed dozens of people were dead.
Images from the area shared on social media show a scene of devastation. A BBC Somali reporter at the scene said the Safari Hotel had collapsed, with people thought to be trapped under the rubble.
No-one has yet said they were behind the blast. Mogadishu resident Muhidin Ali told news agency AFP it was "the biggest blast I have ever witnessed, it destroyed the whole area".
The Somali government is fighting a war against the al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab group.