A car bomb exploded outside a famous café crowded with football supporters in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, killing several people.
The bomb exploded on Sunday night at 22:28 local time, while customers at Top Coffee were watching the Euro 2024 football final between Spain and England.
According to the police, the explosion killed at least five people and injured 20 more.
Security sources later told the AFP news agency that the death toll had increased to nine.
The jihadist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the incident.
Witnesses reported the restaurant was packed, with some people on the pavement outside when the bomb went off, sending them scrambling for safety.
“We heard a loud, horrifying explosion during the first half of the game that we were watching. Everyone had to figure out how to save themselves,” one of the survivors, Mohamed Muse, told the BBC.
“I saw people in danger, injured people screaming for help, and others confused—it was terrifying,” he added.
The explosion also destroyed a number of cars and caused damage to other buildings.
Al-Shabab, an al-Qaeda affiliate, reportedly stated that it was targeting a location where security and government staff gather at night.
The location is near Villa Somalia, the official presidential house.
Over the last 17 years, the jihadist group has carried out multiple bombs in the city and across Somalia.
However, there has been a lull in recent months as Somali security forces continue their attack against the organisation, which still controls significant areas of the nation.
