Car bomb blast kills 39, wounds about 50 in Somali capital

At least 38 people have lost their lives and about 50 others have been wounded in a car bomb explosion in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, officials and witnesses say.

Ahmed Abdulle Afrax, the mayor of Wadajir, the district in the city of Mogadishu that was bombed, said that the deadly incident took place on Sunday when an explosive-laden car exploded near a busy market in the capital city. 

"We carried 39 dead bodies and there were many others injured," Dr. Abdikadir Abdirahman, director of the Aamin Ambulance Service, told Reuters.

Meanwhile, manager of Madina hospital, Dr. Mohamed Yusuf, said his facility had taken in 47 injured people.

Witnesses said the bombing happened in an area where soldiers, civilians and traders were present.

The death toll is expected to rise as many of the injured are said to be in critical condition.

No group or individual has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, but the al-Shabab Takfiri militant group has been blamed for such attacks in the past.

SS