Somali ministers killed in hotel blast

A powerful explosion has rocked a hotel in Somalia’s restive capital of Mogadishu, claiming the lives of six people, including three ministers, two journalists and a doctor.

The blast targeted Mogadishu’s Sham Hotel, where the country’s transitional government was holding a meeting.

Higher Education Minister Ibrahim Hassan Addow and Health Minister Qamar Aden died instantly. Education Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Waayel died of his wounds shortly after the blast, AFP quoted a senior government official as saying.

Sports Minister Suleyman Olad Roble was injured, the official added.

Two journalists, one from Shabele Radio and another from Al Arabiya television, and a medical doctor were also killed, a source at the hotel said.

Many others have been rushed to hospital with critical injuries.

The cause of the explosion is yet unknown.