Four killed, 9 injured in blast in Mogadishu car bombing

MOGADISHU, March 7 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and nine others injured when a huge BLAST occurred at a restaurant near the presidential palace, police and witnesses said on Thursday.

Police officer Mohamed Abdulle clarified that the BLAST targeted a busy restaurant, instead of a checkpoint near the national theatre as was reported in the media earlier. The BLAST also destroyed several parked vehicles.

"So far we can confirm that four people are dead and nine others injured in the explosion. The number of casualties could rise any time," the officer told Xinhua.

Sources said one suspect was arrested in connection with the latest incident.

Witnesses said the BLAST sent huge smoke into the sky, saying several properties of unknown value were lost in the latest BLAST.

"The BLAST was so huge and we heard that several people died. The government forces cordoned off the scene and prevented the public from approaching," a witness, Hasan Ahmed, told Xinhua.

The BLAST comes a week after another deadly car bomb BLAST ripped through Makka al mukarama hotel resulting in the death of 36 people and injuring 90 others.

Al-Qaida affiliated group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack, claiming to have killed at least six soldiers.