6 die in Mogadishu hotel blast

At least six people were killed and eight others injured in a car bombing outside the popular Nasahablod 2 Hotel here on Saturday, police said.

A police officer who requested not to be named told Xinhua there were many casualties at the scene. A second blast went off shortly after the first in the same location.

Residents said huge smoke was billowing at the scene after a huge explosion followed with gunfire was heard outside the hotel.

Emergency services were evacuating the wounded persons after suspected suicide bomber detonated Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device ouside the hotel.

A witness said a second explosion went off just when a truck tried to tow a small vehicle from the scene as rescue teams were trying to access the scene.

 

The attack happened as the country's leaders converged in Mogadishu for a high level security meeting following the October 14 truck bombing that killed more than 350 people. The meeting is scheduled to kick of Sunday.

--IANS

ahm/vd