The death toll from Somalia’s Kismayo hotel attack rose to 26 on Saturday with victims including Kenyans, Americans, a Briton, a Canadian and Tanzanians.
Authorities say they have stopped an attack claimed by jihadist group Al-Shabaab on popular hotel in the Somali port of Kismayo, but prominent public figures are among those killed.
“The security forces are in control now and the last terrorist was shot and killed,” Mohamed Abdiweli, a security official confirmed.
A regional politician told Reuters that at least 26 people were dead and over 50 were injured, but the death toll could rise, as bodies are still being recovered from the lobby of the Medina hotel.
During the Friday attack, a suicide bomber drove a truck laden with explosives into the hotel, followed by gunmen, who began to mow down those gathered in public spaces.
Reports indicate the hotel was occupied by local politicians and officials ahead of a local election. A presidential candidate for upcoming regional elections and a prominent local journalist are said to be among the victims.
The attack lasted more than 14 hours before troops shot dead all attackers inside the hotel compound, Colonel Abdiqadir Nur, a local police officer, told media.
A journalists’ group confirmed two journalists were among the dead; Somali-Canadian Hodan Naleyah, founder of Integration TV, and Mohamed Sahal Omar, a reporter from SBC TV in Kismayo.
“We are saddened and outraged by this loss of life, and condemn in the strongest possible terms this appalling massacre,” Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu, secretary-general of the Federation of Somali Journalists, said in a statement.
