MOGADISHU (SD) – At least eight people have been killed and 23 other wounded after a car laden with explosives exploded in Somali capital, Mogadishu.

The blast in the early hours on Thursday near the K4 junction in the heart of the city which targeted triggered a plume of smoke targeted a convoy of African Union Mission in Somalia (Amisom).

Abdulkadir Adan of the Amin ambulance service told Reuters that at least 23 wounded people were rushed to a hospital.

“So far, we know five people died and 23 others (were) injured,” Abdikadir Abdirahman, the director of Aamin Ambulance services said.

Al-Shabaab claimed the responsibility for the attack, saying the attack was targeting a passing United Nations convoy.

It is not yet clear whether the occupants of the convoy.