Somalia: Second car bomb blast in Mogadishu, kills at least six

MOGADISHU, Somalia- At least 6 people were reported to have been killed, and scores wounded in second deadly suicide car bomb blast near a hotel in Mogadishu on Monday, Garowe Online reports. 

Confirming the incident, Capt. Osman Liban, a Somali Police officer said a suicide bomber has detonated his explosives-laden vehicle near the Weheliye Hotel on the busy Dabka junction at around 11:00 A.M.

In the aftermath of the attack, Somali security forces have immediately sealed off the scene near the hotel and began a probe into the incident. Ambulances have rushed the wounded to nearby hospitals.

Mogadishu Mayor spokesman Abdifitah Omar Halane said a bomber driving a Toyota NOAH vehicle packed with explosives has carried out the hotel attack, killing at least six bystanders.

He added after the car bomb exploded at the hotel, a large brown plume of smoke was visible in the air.

Wehliye Hotel is frequented by Somali government officials and is located few meters away from the Somali Parliament compound in the heavily fortified zone in the capital.

The attack was the second in the day, and no group has claimed responsibility for both car bomb attacks in Mogadishu, the latest in series of targeted killings and car bomb blasts since the election of the new President in February.