A Euro Final match screening turned tragic at a packed cafe in Mogadishu when a car exploded outside, resulting in multiple fatalities among the gathered football fans. The incident occurred around 10:38 on Sunday 14th July, when multiple people showed up to the cafe to screen a match between Spain and England.
According to a Jihadist group, al-Shabab, they claim responsibility for this tragic event. They’ve stated that they targeted a place where security and government officials convene at night.
The police initially stated that at least five people lost their lives to this brutality, and 20 have been injured. Later on, it was reported by Mohamed Yusuf, an official from the national security agency, that “Nine civilians were killed and 20 others wounded in the explosion,” updating the initial toll of five provided by authorities late Sunday.
Yusuf also added, “There were many people inside the restaurant, most of them youth who were watching the football match… but thanks to God, most of them made their way out safely after using ladders to climb up and jump over the backside perimeter wall.”
Multiple images have surfaced on social media showing the tragedy as the cafe went up in smoke and flames in the center of the city.
Witnesses have recounted the event as a moment of pure panic and urgency as people were thrown into disorder by the sudden blast and frantically sought to escape.
Over the last 17 years, this said Jihadist group has carried out multiple bombings to overthrow the fragile government, as they require the support of foreign troops to remain in power.
Nonetheless, over the past few months, there has been a certain calm as the Somali security forces have taken up the offensive charge against the disorder.
