A massive bomb attack in a busy area of the Somali capital, Mogadishu Saturday is now known to have killed at least 276 people, police say.

In bits:

• A lorry ladened with explosives was detonated near the entrance of a hotel at Zoobe junction, injuring hundreds more.
• It has been described as the worst single explosion in the East African country since the Islamist al-Shabab group launched its insurgency in 2007.
• The area is a bustling area of the city with many shops, hotels and offices.
• President Mohamed Abdullahi “Farmajo” Mohamed blamed the attack on them, calling it a “heinous act”.
• “Brothers, this cruel act was targeted at civilians who were going about their business,” the president said.
• He has declared three days of mourning for the victims of the blast.

Devastating scenes in Somalia's capital after a truck packed with explosives detonated on a busy street pic.twitter.com/1gUIzaU5jx

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) October 16, 2017

#Somalia: terrorist attack with heavy explosion of a truck in the Somali capital Mogadishu. 231 dead & 300 injured. pic.twitter.com/swErqCT8zq

— Washington News Line (@WashNewsLine) October 16, 2017

Other details:

• Police official Ibrahim Mohamed told AFP news agency the death toll was likely to rise. “There are more than 300 wounded, some of them seriously,” he said.
• Officials also confirmed that two people were killed in a second bomb attack in the Madina district of the city.
• Mogadishu’s Mayor, Thabit Abdi called for unity while addressing a crowd of people who had gathered to protest.
• “Oh, people of Mogadishu, Mogadishu shouldn’t be a graveyard for burnt dead bodies,” he said.
• “Mogadishu is a place of respect, and if we remain united like we are today, moving ahead, we will surely defeat the enemy, Allah willing.”

#BREAKING MOGADISHU, #Somalia (AP) — More than 300 dead in Somalia's worst-ever attack, ambulance service chief says. pic.twitter.com/iYGSU42bFe

— Chris Stewart (@CStewartTheNow) October 16, 2017

#Mogadishu Somalia
276 Confirmed dead. More than 300 injured after a truck filled with explosives stopped near a market in the city ? pic.twitter.com/VMpEViyr6x

— Nomzamo Mbatha (@NomzamoMbatha) October 16, 2017