Somalia: 25 people missing after deadly bomb attack in Mogadishu

MOGADISHU, Somalia - At least 25 people cannot be accounted for following Saturday's deadly attack in Mogadishu, the Somali government has confirmed, adding that rescue mission is is still ongoing, Garowe Online reports.

Ismael Mukhtar, who is the Federal Government Somalia spokesperson, said of those missing, six are children who cannot be traced from among the injured or the dead. Six children are among the missing.

Saturday's car bomb attack left over 90 people dead even though the federal government maintains that the death toll stands at 81.

One of the victims who was airlifted to Turkey for treatment succumbed to her injuries with another one also dying in a Mogadishu hospital, Mukhtar added.

He said: "We cannot be able to trace 25 people following the deadly attack. Of those missing are six children. So far, we have recorded 81 deaths."

Turkey airlifts 16 for advanced treatment

In solidarity with Somalia, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan deployed a military plane on Saturday for evacuation and emergency services.

The plane, Garowe Online can authoritatively report, airlifted 16 badly wounded bomb blast victims, with one succumbing to her injuries.

Ankara has been a major donor for Mogadishu in recent years alongside Qatar with the two countries focusing on infrastructural development.

Two of Saturday's deadly attack were Turkish nationals, who were working as engineers in various construction sites within Mogadishu, police said.

Pope Francis prays for Somalia

With the attack attracting worldwide condemnation, Catholic Church head Pope Francis on Sunday dedicated part of the service in praying for Somalia.

Terming it "horrible terrorist attack", the Argentine asked the world to pray for the affected families and the Federal Government of Somalia.

“Let us pray to the Lord for the victims of yesterday’s horrific terrorist attack in Mogadishu in Somalia, where the explosion of a car bomb killed more than 70 people," he said.

The Pope also promised his closeness to “all of their family members and those who mourn their deaths at this time of difficult circumstances".

Since taking over, the reformist Pope has often encouraged interreligious prayers and has been photographed in Mosques leading by example.

No group is yet to take responsibility

For the first time in as many months, no terrorist group has claimed responsibility following the deadly attack. Previously, Al-Shabaab militants have carried similar attacks.

The Al-Qaida associates have been however neutralized from the capital Mogadishu with SNA and AMISOM troops also gaining grounds across the country

Mohamed Farmajo, Somalia's president, on Saturday, linked the group to the attack, insisting that "they don't build roads, schools and I don't know what they want".

Backed by almost 22,000 United Nations troops, Somalia's government has struggled to contain extremist groups that are fighting to control the state.

Future remains uncertain

While the UN and Somalia have made tremendous progress in restoring peace and stability in Somalia, the future of the Horn of Africa nation remains uncertain.

Vincent Moracha, a communication strategist, told Garowe Online that "the attack throws Somalia off-balance on matters security and confidence".

The don further reckons that increasing incidents of insecurity could sabotage the much-anticipated polls scheduled for 2020/21.

Already, the country's Lower House has passed the controversial Electoral Bill, which is now awaiting adoption by the Upper House.

Even as search mission continues, security forces have been deployed within Mogadishu, a city that has lately been subjected to minimal attacks than yesteryears.

GAROWE ONLINE