Death toll from car bomb explosion near presidential palace in Mogadishu rises to 22

Somali soldiers stand near to a building destroyed by a blast near the presidential palace

Somali officials said the death toll from a car bombing near the presidential palace in Mogadishu has risen to 22 after several of the injured died from their wounds, Voice of America reported Wednesday.

The car hit a wall of the SYL hotel, a popular meeting spot for Somali government officials.

Mogadishu police officer Major Mohamed Abdullahi said 50 people had been wounded in the attack.

The militant group al Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack.

Source: MENA