At least seven killed in explosion hitting UN vehicle in Garowe, capital of Puntland region, security sources say.
At least seven people have been killed in an explosion in Garowe, the capital of Puntland in northeastern Somalia, local security sources told Al Jazeera.
Police sources cited a higher death toll to Reuters news agency, saying at least nine people were killed when a car bomb targeted the UN staff in Garowe, in the autonomous Puntland region on Monday.
Four of the victims were foreign nationals, security sources told Al Jazeera.
I condemn attack this morning on @UN in #Garowe. Shocked and appalled by loss of life. More details to follow. @UNSomalia #Somalia
— Sir Nick Kay (@NicholasK111) April 20, 2015
The bomb was apparently planted under a seat and was detonated by remote control, police officer Yusuf Ali told the Associated Press news agency.
Photos circulating on social media websites showed several bodies in the torn-up UN bus. The roof of the bus was ripped off by the explosion.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.
Bomb attacks are not common in the northern parts of Somalia, unlike in the south where armed group al-Shabab is waging a deadly war against the Somali government and the African Union forces bolstering it.
Source: Al Jazeera and agencies