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Somalia 'suicide' car bomb kills dozens in Mogadishu Somalia 'suicide' car bomb kills dozens in Mogadishu
(40 minutes later)
At least 55 people have been killed by a huge suspected suicide blast near a government compound in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, say officials.At least 55 people have been killed by a huge suspected suicide blast near a government compound in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, say officials.
Eyewitnesses said a truck carrying explosives was driven into a gate near a government ministry and detonated.Eyewitnesses said a truck carrying explosives was driven into a gate near a government ministry and detonated.
Sheikh Ali Mohamed Rage, a spokesman for the Islamist militant group al-Shabab, told the BBC it had carried out the attack. A spokesman for the Islamist militant group al-Shabab, told the BBC it had carried out the attack.
Dozens of people were also injured in the attack. It was the largest attack since al-Shabab withdrew its forces from Mogadishu in August.
BBC Somali's Mohammed Dore, at the scene, said vehicles were on fire, bodies were lying in the street and shocked soldiers were randomly firing into the air. Rescue workers said more than 40 people had been injured in the blast.
Our correspondent said it was the worst incident he had ever experienced. The blast struck outside a compound housing government buildings in the Kilometre Four district.
Soldiers were among those killed and injured, as well as students who had been queuing at the main gate to take an exam at the education ministry in order to gain a scholarship to study in Turkey. Police officer Ali Hussein told the Associated Press news agency that the vehicle had exploded after pulling up at a checkpoint on the way into the official compound.
'Checkpoint blast' BBC Somali's Mohammed Dhore in Mogadishu said vehicles were on fire, bodies were lying in the street and shocked soldiers were randomly firing into the air.
Members of the UN-backed transitional government were meeting in the building at the time, but it is not yet clear if they were among the casualties.
I arrived at the scene by foot about 30 minutes after the lorry exploded. It was shocking. At least 11 bodies burnt beyond recognition were lying on the ground. The main buildings and surrounding trees were on fire.I arrived at the scene by foot about 30 minutes after the lorry exploded. It was shocking. At least 11 bodies burnt beyond recognition were lying on the ground. The main buildings and surrounding trees were on fire.
First aid workers were carrying severely wounded people to ambulances. Two people with blood all over their legs were shouting for help.First aid workers were carrying severely wounded people to ambulances. Two people with blood all over their legs were shouting for help.
People came rushing to the scene but it is hard to identify the bodies. Some people were crying - it was very emotional. Somali government soldiers then began shooting in the air to get the crowds to move as it was rumoured that other suicide vehicles may be in the area. They are stopping and searching all cars. There are no vehicles moving in this area of the city.People came rushing to the scene but it is hard to identify the bodies. Some people were crying - it was very emotional. Somali government soldiers then began shooting in the air to get the crowds to move as it was rumoured that other suicide vehicles may be in the area. They are stopping and searching all cars. There are no vehicles moving in this area of the city.
Our correspondent said it was the worst incident he had ever experienced.
One aid worker said body parts had landed hundreds of metres from the scene.
Soldiers were among those killed and injured, as well as students who had been queuing at the main gate to take an exam at the education ministry in order to gain a scholarship to study in Turkey.
A senior official with Mogadishu's ambulance service, Ali Ruse, told AP that 70 people had died and at least 42 had been injured.
Members of the UN-backed transitional government were meeting in the building at the time, but it is not yet clear if they were among the casualties.
An official from the African Union, which has peacekeeping troops in Somalia, said the incident was "very serious".An official from the African Union, which has peacekeeping troops in Somalia, said the incident was "very serious".
The blast struck outside a compound housing government buildings in the Kilometre Four district. 'Checkpoint blast'
Police officer Ali Hussein told the Associated Press news agency that the vehicle had exploded after pulling up at a checkpoint on the way into the official compound.
An official with Mogadishu's ambulance service, Ali Ruse, said 65 bodies had been recovered and at least 50 other people had been injured.
"Some are still lying there. Most of the people have burns," he told Reuters news agency.
Somalia has been without an effective central government since 1991 - the weak transitional government and Islamist militias are competing for control of the country.Somalia has been without an effective central government since 1991 - the weak transitional government and Islamist militias are competing for control of the country.
Al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda, controls large swathes of south and central Somalia.Al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda, controls large swathes of south and central Somalia.
It retreated from Mogadishu two months ago, but analysts said that without a front line it was likely to begin carrying out more bombings, including suicide attacks.It retreated from Mogadishu two months ago, but analysts said that without a front line it was likely to begin carrying out more bombings, including suicide attacks.
Last week, al-Shabab tried but failed to seize two towns from pro-government forces near Somalia's border with Kenya.Last week, al-Shabab tried but failed to seize two towns from pro-government forces near Somalia's border with Kenya.
Somalia's political instability has been compounded in the past year by the worst drought in six decades, which has forced tens of thousands of people to flee to Mogadishu in search of food.Somalia's political instability has been compounded in the past year by the worst drought in six decades, which has forced tens of thousands of people to flee to Mogadishu in search of food.
The UN has declared a famine in six regions of Somalia.The UN has declared a famine in six regions of Somalia.
The BBC's East Africa correspondent, Will Ross, said the latest attack will not only worry the government but also the aid agencies, who have been taking great risks to get food to the drought victims.The BBC's East Africa correspondent, Will Ross, said the latest attack will not only worry the government but also the aid agencies, who have been taking great risks to get food to the drought victims.
Are you in Somalia? Did you witness the blast in Mogadishu? Send us your comments and experiences.Are you in Somalia? Did you witness the blast in Mogadishu? Send us your comments and experiences.