14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings
On 14 October 2017, two truck bombings took place in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, killing at least 587 people and injuring 316 others. Almost all of the casualties were caused by one of the trucks, which detonated when the driver, while attempting to escape from security officials, crashed through a barrier and exploded in the Hodan District, destroying a hotel. The intended target of the attack is believed to have been a secure compound housing international agencies and troops. The second blast happened close by, killing two people. A third explosives-laden truck was captured by police.
| 14 October 2017 Mogadishu bombings | |
|---|---|
| Part of Somali Civil War | |
Safari Hotel, Mogadishu, Somalia | |
| Location | Mogadishu, Somalia |
| Coordinates | 2°1′57″N 45°18′16″E |
| Date | 14 October 2017 (UTC+03:00) |
Attack type | Truck bombing |
| Deaths | 587 |
| Injured | 316
|
| Perpetrators | Unknown, Al-Shabaab suspected |
Though no organisation claimed responsibility, officials stated that a key member of the cell that carried it out had informed them that Islamist group al-Shabaab was responsible.
The attack is the deadliest in Somalia's history, surpassing the 2011 Mogadishu bombing that killed 100 people. It is the second deadliest terrorist attack in African history, and the continent's deadliest bombing. In response to the bombings, Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed declared three days of mourning.