Death toll rises to 512 in Oct. 14 Mogadishu truck bombing

MOGADISHU, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in the Oct. 14 truck bombing in Mogadishu has risen to 512, a national committee appointed by the government said in its final report, local media reported on Monday.

The National Support Committee which investigated the tragedy said some 295 people were injured in one of the deadliest attacks in the history of Somalia.

The report notes that a total of 136 injured people were airlifted for further treatment in Kenya, Turkey, Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates.

The bombing which hit the busy KM5 Junction in Mogadishu's Hodan district has been termed as the deadliest in the country's history.

The committee whose task also involved assessment of extent of the damage caused said at least 3 million U.S. dollars was raised locally and internationally to compensate those who lost their business and families of both the injured and the bereaved.

Following the truck bombing, 1,087 children were orphaned, the committee said, noting the funds raised would also cater for the support of the children.

The committee in its report has called for further support to the orphans. The government is yet to receive the report.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack but Somali government has laid blame on the militant group Al-Shabaab which has been fighting to overthrow the Western-backed government.

Somali forces and African Union troops supported by United States have since launched major offensives in southern parts of the country in response to increased attacks by the insurgents. Enditem