Around 11 people were killed on Sunday as a suicide bomber attacker rammed a car laden with explosives into a government convoy at a busy junction in the Somali capital.

Around 11 people were killed on Sunday as a suicide bomber attacker rammed a car laden with explosives into a government convoy at a busy junction in the Somali capital.

"Several people have been killed, the blast was big, we are gathering details but the number of those killed is around 11," police official Mohamed Adan said.

Adan said that the people inside the armored government car targeted by the attacker had survived. It was not immediately clear who the passengers were.

Arab television, al-Mayadeen, reported that the blast targeted two cars carrying a Qatari delegation.

The car exploded close to a police station at the central K4 roundabout, a busy part of Mogadishu where many people gather to drink tea at roadside stalls.
Other police officials said that at least 10 people had been killed.

"I saw eight bodies including a woman, some of them were burned very badly by the fire from the explosion," said eyewitness Ali Yusuf. "It was a terrible sight."