At least seven people were killed and more than 20 injured on Sunday in a blast during Eid Al Fitr celebrations in Somalia.
The cause of the explosion in Baidoa, 250 kilometres outside the capital Mogadishu, is not yet known.
“The initial information we have received indicates the dead bodies of five people were collected from the scene of the blast and more than 20 others have been wounded,” police officer Mohamed Muktar told AFP by phone.
The death toll could increase because of to the severity of some of the injuries, he said.
Witness Mohamud Ibrahim said the crowd had been dancing and singing when the blast occurred.
“I’m not an expert but I think there was a roadside bomb involved, the blast was huge and it caused casualties more than a grenade may cause,” he said, also speaking by phone.Another witness, Abdi Hassan, said people had gathered at the spot on Sunday to enjoy the Eid festivities, especially dancing.“How can someone shed the blood of innocent civilians when they have been enjoying their Eid festival?
“These perpetrators whoever they are have turned their happiness into sadness,” Hassan said.
Al Shabab, an Al Qaeda affiliate, was driven out of Mogadishu in 2011 and lost most of its strongholds, but still controls vast parts of the countryside.
Its militants have vowed to overthrow the internationally backed government in the capital and still carry out attacks including suicide bombings against government and international targets.
In 2013 and 2016 the group launched deadly attacks on beachfront restaurants in Mogadishu.
