A deadly explosion ripped through the Somali capital, Mogadishu on Saturday. In the hours following the explosion, the death toll stood at 20. However, on Monday, the figure had jumped to a devastating 276.
With 300 others injured and many victims burned beyond recognition, authorities termed the explosion the "deadliest attack ever” to hit war-torn Somalia.
Hundreds of people, chanting anti-violence slogans and wearing red or white bandanas around their heads in a show of grief, took to the streets of Mogadishu to condemn the deadly attack that has shocked Somalians.
Rescue operations continued with rescuers working through the night to try to pull bodies from the rubble after the truck bomb exploded outside of the Safari Hotel on a busy road junction, levelling buildings and leaving many vehicles in flames.
Somali soldiers patrol on the scene of the explosion of a truck bomb in the centre of Mogadishu.─AFP
Somali soldiers patrol on the scene of the explosion of a truck bomb in the centre of Mogadishu.─AFP
People gather near burnt vehicles a day after a truck bomb exploded in the centre of Mogadishu.─AFP
Somali soldiers patrol on the scene of the explosion of a truck bomb in the centre of Mogadishu.─AFP
A man and woman look at the damages on the site of the explosion of a truck bomb in the centre of Mogadishu.─AFP
Somali children assist other civilians and security forces in their rescue efforts.─AP
Somali women react at the scene of Saturday's blast, in Mogadishu─AP
People wear headbands as a sign of anger as they protest against the deadly bomb attack in Mogadishu.─AFP
People wear red headbands as a sign of anger as they protest against the deadly bomb attack in Mogadishu .─AFP
People chant slogans as they protest against the deadly bomb attack in Mogadishu.─AFP
People chant slogans as they protest against the deadly bomb attack in Mogadishu.─AFP
Turkish doctors transport a critically wounded man on stretcher into awaiting Turkish air ambulance to airlift injured patients for treatment in Turkey.─AP
Turkish doctors transport a critically wounded man on stretcher into a waiting Turkish air ambulance to airlift injured patients for treatment in Turkey.─AP
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