Somali hotel attack victims airlifted to Dubai for treatment

ore than 10 people who were injured in a bomb attack at a hotel in Mogadishu have been flown to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for specialized treatment since local hospitals do not have the capacity, health minister said Sunday.

Health Minister Hawa Hassan Mohamed told journalists in Mogadishu that the government had been liaising with various governments to seek support, and the UAE government agreed to airlift the patients for treatment in Dubai.

"Thirteen people who were seriously wounded have been flown to UAE after they agreed to our request. They have also given us two planes to transport the injured. I thank the UAE for their response and assistance for the treatment of our people," Mohamed said.

The minister added that there were still many other people in different hospitals in the city and the government is still looking for more medical support.

However, the minister did not indicate if government officials were among those airlifted.

The militant group Al-Shabaab let off explosives at Central Hotel in the capital more than a week ago, killing 28 people that include two members of parliament.

The government also confirmed that 58 people were injured in the attack, which targeted worshipers in a mosque inside the hotel compound and customers at the hotel. Endi