Somali journalist killed in Mogadishu car bomb attack

A veteran Somali journalist was killed in a car bomb attack at Hodan district in the Somali capital Mogadishu Thursday, officials and eyewitnesses said.

Hindiya Haji Mohamed, who was working for Radio Mogadishu and National Television, was killed while driving home after studies at a local university.

Abdirahim Isse Addow, Director of Radio Mogadishu, confirmed to Xinhua that the journalist succumbed to injuries after she was rushed to Madina Hospital

Mario Ahmed, a female student who was travelling in the same car with the journalist, survived the attack which took place near the Turkish embassy.

"I am very surprised at the incident. I heard huge explosion, and blood splattered in the car. I got out from the car only to see Hindiya bleeding profusely," Mario said.

Somali Information Minister Mohamed Abdi Mareye has condemned the attack against the journalist, and blamed it on Somali militant group Al-Shabaab.

"Al-Shabab militants planted a bomb under the journalist's car; the security forces are examining the attack and would bring perpetrators to justice and I hope this attack will not derail our efforts," said the minister.

Somalia is considered to be one of the most dangerous places for journalists. The latest death of the journalist brings the number of media practitioners who have been killed in the Horn of Africa state this year to seven. Enditem