Dozens Killed in Truck Bomb Explosion in Somalia

This morning, a truck bomb exploded at a busy security checkpoint in Somalia's capital killing at least 90 people including many students, according to authorities.

Government spokesman Ismail Mukhtar told the Associated Press that the toll could rise as scores of people were rushed to hospitals. Dr. Mohamed Yusuf, director of Madina hospital, said they had received 73 bodies. The Aamin Ambulance service reported at least 76 dead and more than 50 wounded.

He explained that the attacker drove his vehicle into the "Ex-control Afgoye" checkpoint, a well-known junction that links the south of Somalia to the capital.

Eyewitnesses described the explosion as one of the deadliest in Mogadishu in recent memory. "This explosion is similar like the one ... in 2017. This one occurred just a few steps away from where I am and it knocked me on the ground from its force. I have never seen such a explosion in my entire life," said witness Abdurrahman Yusuf.

Mayor Omar Mohamud Mohamed said that most of those killed were university and other students returning to class.

On his part, Police Capt. Mohamed Hussein said the blast targeted a tax collection center during the morning rush hour as Somalia returned to work after its weekend. A large black plume of smoke rose above the capital.

Images showed the mangled frames of vehicles and bodies lying on the ground.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. The al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab often carries out such attacks. The extremist group was pushed out of Mogadishu several years ago but continues to target high-profile areas such as checkpoints and hotels in the seaside city.

Al-Shabab was blamed for the truck bombing in Mogadishu in October 2017 that killed more than 500 people. The group never claimed responsibility for the blast that led to widespread public outrage. Some analysts said al-Shabab didn't dare claim credit as its strategy of trying to sway public opinion by exposing government weakness had badly backfired.

According to analysts, the latest attack again raises pressing concern about the readiness of Somali forces to take over responsibility for security in the coming months from the AU force.