Chinese embassy worker dies in Somalia terror blast

World Today

Photo taken on July 26, 2015 shows the Jazeera Hotel after a suicide attack in Mogadishu, Somalia. At least 15 people were killed and several others injured Sunday in a hotel blast in the Somali capital Mogadishu.

At least 15 people have been killed and dozens injured in a deadly terrorist explosion at a hotel in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia.

A security crew member working at the Chinese embassy was among those killed along with three staff members injured in Sunday’s incident, Chinese Foreign Ministry has confirmed.

Local media said a car was used to attack the Jazeera Palace Hotel near the airport. The hotel is home to several embassies including those of China, Qatar and Egypt.

The Chinese armed police officer reportedly died from heavy wounds in hospital. The Chinese Embassy was partially damaged.

Beijing has condemned the attack. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said Monday China is deeply shocked about the incident and grieved about the victims and their family members.

Chinese embassy worker dies in Somalia blast

The Jazeera Hotel after a suicide attack in Mogadishu, Somalia. At least 15 people were killed and several others injured Sunday in a hotel blast in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Photo taken on July 26, 2015.

Chinese embassy worker dies in Somalia blast

The Jazeera Hotel after a suicide attack in Mogadishu, Somalia. At least 15 people were killed and several others injured Sunday in a hotel blast in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Photo taken on July 26, 2015.

All staff members working at the embassy have been taken to a safe area, Lu said. China has lodged a representation to the Somali government, and the Somali side has promised to properly deal with the aftermath, he added.

China closed its embassy in the country due to the deterioration of security in 1991, and while the security in Somalia has improved, China officially reopened its embassy in Mogadishu last year.

Somali militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack. The al-Qaeda linked group said it was responding to assaults by an African Union force and the Somalia government. A day earlier, the group made separated attacks in the capital, killing a member of the Somali parliament and an official from the prime minister’s office.

Al-Shabab has been battling Somalia’s government for two decades. This group has also attacked neighboring countries, killing almost 150 people in an assault on a Kenyan university in April.

Chinese embassy worker dies in Somalia blast

The Jazeera Hotel after a suicide attack in Mogadishu, Somalia. At least 15 people were killed and several others injured Sunday in a hotel blast in the Somali capital Mogadishu. Photo taken on July 26, 2015.

Story by CCTV News