At least 37 civilians were killed and 212 were injured in an explosion at a popular beach restaurant in the Somali capital late on Friday, the health minister said, an attack the government blamed on militant Islamist group al Shabaab.

Somalia beach attack: Death toll hits 37 after Al-Shabaab attacks Mogadishu beach

At least 32 people were killed and 63 others were injured in an explosion on the popular Lido beach area in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Friday (Aug 2). Citing state media, a report by the news agency Reuters said that the attack was blamed on the al-Qaeda-linked, al Shabab.

At least 32 people were killed and 63 others were injured in an explosion on the popular Lido beach area in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Friday (Aug 2). Citing state media, a report by the news agency Reuters said that the attack was blamed on the al-Qaeda-linked, al Shabab. The explosion took place at a restaurant on the beach area. This was the deadliest attack in Somalia since twin car bombs detonated near a busy market intersection in October 2022, killing at least 100 people and wounding 300 others. Al Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack in a post on a pro-Shabaab website. 'A peaceful evening shattered' According to police spokesperson Abdifatah Aden, one of the attackers had blown himself up while three others had been killed by security forces. Additionally, one attacker was captured alive and one soldier was killed during the assault. Also read | Somalia president nullifies Ethiopia-Somaliland port deal. Here are the details Hassan Farah, a survivor, described the shock as the explosion shattered a peaceful evening. Speaking to Reuters, Farah said he was at the restaurant "when I saw a big man running, in a second there was something like lightning and a huge blast." "We were covered with smoke. Inside and outside the restaurant many people were lying on the floor while others were bleeding and crying," Farah added. Videos posted on X showed bodies lying on the beach in the dark, and people running to safety. Local media reported that hospitals appealed for blood donations following the influx of wounded. Reactions to the attack In a post on X, former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said, "The fact that the terrorist attack coincides with this night when the beach is the most congested shows the hostility of the terrorists to the Somali people." Meanwhile, Faki Mahamat, chairman of the African Union Commission, labelled the attack "horrific" and "callous." The Lido area has been the target of previous attacks, including a six-hour al Shabab siege of a beachside hotel last year, which left six civilians dead and 10 wounded. The al-Qaeda-linked group controlled a vast area of Somalia before being pushed back in government counter offensives in 2022. However, the militants remain capable of launching significant attacks on government, commercial, and military targets. (With inputs from agencies)

At least 32 killed in Somalia beach attack carried out by al Shabab

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Somalia beach attack: Death toll hits 37 after Al-Shabaab attacks Mogadishu beach

At least 32 killed in Somalia beach attack carried out by al Shabab