Huge blast kills 20 in Somalia's capital

MOGADISHU (AP):

A huge explosion from a truck bomb killed at least 20 people, although some reports said 30, in Somalia's capital, police said yesterday, as shaken residents called it the most powerful blast they've heard in years.

The explosion appeared to target a hotel on a busy road in Hodan district and at least 15 people were injured. Members of the security forces had reportedly been trailing the truck after it raised suspicions.

Police said people were trapped in the rubble of the Safari Hotel, which was largely destroyed in the explosion. The hotel is close to Somalia's foreign ministry.

The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab recently stepped up attacks on army bases across south and central Somalia. While there was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday's blast, al-Shabab often targets high-profile areas of Mogadishu with deadly bombings.