Somalia: EU envoy visits site of deadly blast in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The European Union (EU) Ambassador to Somalia, Veronique Lorenzo has on Thursday paid a visit to the scene of a deadly blast at K-5 junction in Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.

Veronique accompanied by several Somali Ministers, including Minister of planning showed solidarity with Somali people affected by Saturday's truck bombing in the capital that claimed the lives of more than 300 people.

Hundreds of others were wounded, some with life-threatening wounds have been airlifted to Turkey, Kenya, Sudan for medical treatment, while the rest were admitted to hospitals in the capital.

During her short visit, she has observed the clearing and rebuilding efforts underway in the area, which was sealed off by the Somali security forces due to the rescue operations.

The envoy said she has shocked the situation and huge devastation in the busy junction in the heart of the capital city which has been hit by the most powerful bomb blast ever witnessed in Somalia history.

"I was humbled by the energy and courage of the Somali people. The clearing and rebuilding already underway in the area following the terror attack," Veronique said in a Twitter post.

The explosion tore down shopping malls, restaurants, and hotel along the road. Entire overcrowded buses, luxury vehicles were blown up, and every passenger killed. No one in the vicinity was spared.

No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, but it bears all the hallmarks of the jihadist group al-Shabab, at war with successive UN-backed Somali governments and their international backers, mainly AMISOM since 2007. 

Speaking to reporters, the ambassador announced that EU pledged further €100,000 for humanitarian needs & commits to reconstruction & strengthen government capacity to deal with the disasters.

GAROWE ONLINE