2nd LD: Death toll of Mogadishu blasts reaches 12, Al-Shabaab claims responsibility

At least 12 people were killed and 16 others injured in Mogadishu blasts which targeted "peace garden" along with SYL hotel near the Somali presidential palace, police said Friday.

According to police officer Said Muse, the first blast hit the gate of peace garden, adding at least 12 civilians were killed in the two explosions and 16 more were wounded.

Somalia-based militant group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

"Car bomb rammed into the gate of garden, which caused more deaths. We can confirm that 7 people were killed in the garden," he said.

The officer also noted that another explosion took place near SYL hotel which witnessed attacks before, saying the second explosion resulted in the deaths of 5 women who were employed as cleaners on the streets.

A Somali journalist works for state run Radio who was at the scene the moment of the explosion told Xinhua that the blast was huge.

"I was inside the peace garden when the explosion occurred, and I was shocked and I immediately did not run towards the gate because I was afraid that there is another explosion. I jumped out of the wall. Everyone was in a panic," Radio Mogadishu journalist Mohamed Roraye who survived the attack told Xinhua.

The garden peace which locates next to SYL hotel is witnessing a strong busiest on Fridays where Mogadishu residents go there to have fun. Endit