In Somalia, an explosion went off on at popular beach in the capital late on Friday evening, former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire said.
The explosion occurred while residents were swimming on Liddo beach, causing deaths and injuries, Khaire said on his X account, without giving more details on the casualties, or who was behind it.
“I send my deepest condolences to the families, relatives and friends of those who were martyred in these explosions,” he said.
“The fact that the terrorist attack coincides with this night when the beach is the most congested shows the hostility of the terrorists to the Somali people.”
Agency reports quoted a man claiming who was present on the beach when the attack happened. He said he saw the attacker wearing an explosive vest moments before he blew himself up next to the beachview hotel.
Videos posted on social media platform X showed bodies lying on the beach in the dark, with people scampering to safety.
Somalia National Television said on X that security forces had eliminated the attackers and medical personnel were responding to attend to those injured.
Al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group has in the past claimed responsibility for similar attacks.
In fact, Lido beach was hit last year by militants affiliated to al-Shabaab and nine people were killed
The group controlled a vast area of Somalia before being pushed back in government counteroffensives since 2022. However, the militants remain capable of launching significant attacks on government, commercial, and military targets.
Lido beach has experienced a significant revival in the past decade thanks to the efforts of the Somali diaspora and local entrepreneurs. The beach has emerged as a major tourism hub with hotels and restaurants offering seafood.
The beach is known for its lively atmosphere with visitors flocking there on weekends to enjoy the sandy shores and the balmy waters.
