Somalia: At least 18 dead after minibus hits roadside bomb

AFGOOYE, Somalia-At least 18 civilians have been confirmed dead after a minibus hit a roadside bomb near volatile Mogadishu on Thursday morning, officials and witnesses said. 

The passenger bus which was full of civilians was heading to the market town of Afgooye, 30km away from Mogadishu before being engulfed by a remotely-detonated explosion. An armored vehicle carrying Somali government troops was a likely target, security officials disclosed. 

All passengers on board were reportedly killed despite conflicting reports over exact number of fatalities from the deadly terror attack.  Some sources have said, 20 people might have lost their lives in the bombing although initial reports indicate 18 deaths.  

Al Shabaab which uses roadside bombs and suicide attacks as lethal weaponry against Somali government troops, African Union peacekeepers and civilians has not yet claimed responsibility for the bombing. 

Citing eyewitnesses, Reuters reported that the vehicle transporting the government soldiersescaped undamaged.  Images from the site where the minibus struck roadside bomb showed wreckage and a deep pit in Mogadishu-Afgooye road.

GAROWEONLINE