​Somalia: Car bomb at a busy tea shop in Kismayo kills at least five

KISMAYO, Somalia- At least five people were killed and more than a dozen wounded in a deadly car bomb explosion in Somalia's southern port town of Kismayo on Tuesday afternoon, Garowe Online reports.

A witness has confirmed to GO, that a vehicle-laden with explosives went off at the entrance of the busy tea-shop named "Shah-Ma'an" which is located near Jubaland state Parliament compound.

The sound of the powerful explosion was heard across the seaside city, and damaged the cafe, causing heavy casualties, mostly elders, and local youths and Jubaland security officers. Unconfirmed reports indicated that a bomber blew up himself inside the building.

Jubaland forces sealed off the scene near the blast site, where a thick column of white smoke rose into the cloudy sky as ambulances sirens were heard from distance, rushing the wounded to nearby hospital.

Medical officials at Kismayo general hospital said the death toll was likely to rise because of the number of seriously injured in the cafe bombing. Jubaland administration is yet to comment on the attack.

No group has claimed the responsibility for the attack, but militants from Somalia-based Islamist group al-Shabaab frequently carry out attacks on government and civilian targets in the country.

GAROWEONLINE