Somalia: Blast at football pitch in Barawe kills five

BARAWE, Somalia – At least five people were killed and several wounded in a deadly blast at a crowded football stadium in the coastal town of Barawe in southern Somalia on Thursday, Garowe Online reports.

Ahmed Mohamed, a witness told GO that a powerful explosion resulted from an improvised explosives device [IED] took place during a final match between Elman and SYL teams in the afternoon.

Hersi Barre Jeeh, the commissioner of Barawe said the bomb was planted in the VIP seats in the stadium targeting senior regional and district officials watching the game held in the former Al-Shabab bastion.

Jeeh said all players were safe after the IED explosion in Barawe, about 220Km south of Mogadishu, the Somali capital, adding that the aim of the bombing was to cause a maximum number of casualties.

“Five football fans are so far confirmed dead and 8 others injured in the blast. The death toll is likely to rise further as some of the wounded are in critical conditions,” he stated.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the fatal blast at the arena, but, the local police authorities blamed the Al Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabab for being behind the horrific attack.

GAROWE ONLINE