Somalia reeling after death toll rises over 300 from truck bombing

Oct 16, 2017 | International News, News

Civilians injured during an explosion last Saturday in KM4 street in the Hodan district waits to board a Turkish military plane for medical evacuation at the Aden Abdulle International Airport in Mogadishu, Somalia October 16, 2017. REUTERS/Feisal Omar

By: Matt Owczarz

The death toll from a deadly truck bombing on Saturday in Somalia’s capital has risen to more than 300 people.

The bombing occurred on a crowded street in Mogadishu, where approximately another 300 people were also injured in the blast.

This is the deadliest attack in the Horn of Africa nation.

Hospitals are overwhelmed in providing medical care for the wounded victims and some of the injured are being airlifted to Turkey for treatment as international aid arrives.

Somalia’s president Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmaajo” Mohamed called for the Somali people to join the ongoing emergency mission after attending Erdogan Hospital.

Countries including Kenya and Turkey have offered medical aid and support.


Aamin Ambulance is a free ambulance service made up of members of the public who have been working diligently to deliver aid to Somalis in the region. A GoFundMe page has been started to raise donations.


The U.S. Mission to Somalia spoke out on Twitter with a statement and asked volunteers to donate blood for bombing victims.

Politicians worldwide have taken to Twitter to both condemn the attacks and to offer their condolences.