- At least 14 killed in terrorist attack on Mogadishu beach
Islamists attack a hotel and the popular Lido Beach in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. According to a police spokesman, there are at least 14 dead. More than 30 people have been injured, but the number of casualties is expected to be higher. Security forces were still fighting the attackers after midnight (local time).
Social media is filled with horrifying images: people fleeing the beach in panic, others lying bleeding and screaming in the sand, as shown in photos and videos from eyewitnesses. Shots can be heard in the background. Rescue teams could not reach the injured because shooting was still ongoing.
The attack is still ongoing, a police spokesman told the German Press Agency. The situation is currently unclear. In addition to shots, explosions can also be heard. A beach hotel was also a target of the attack.
The Lido Beach is a popular destination for Mogadishu residents, especially on weekends. According to police, the shooting followed an explosion caused by a suicide bomber.
The Islamist militant group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack on its radio station. The Islamists control areas in parts of Somalia but have been pushed out of the capital in recent years.
However, there are still attacks in Mogadishu, targeting government institutions and hotels or restaurants where the Islamists see a western lifestyle. In July, 11 people died in a terrorist attack on a restaurant during the UEFA Euro 2020 final.
The Commission condemned the actions of Al-Shabaab in the attack on Lido Beach and the hotel, expressing its deep sympathy for the victims and their families. The Commission is committed to supporting the Somali government in its efforts to enhance security and protect its citizens.
