BOSSASO (SD) – A bomb blast near Bossaso airport killed at least one person and injured several others.

Former government officials and civilians were reportedly at the scene of the blast. Witnesses said the area was busy at the time of the blast.

The blast killed a Puntland interior ministry official named Mohamed Baxwal, while the wounded currently being treated at hospitals in Bossaso include Ahmed Jarale, a former deputy police chief for the Bari region.

The venue is a restaurant frequented by various sections of the community, the blast could’ve resulted in other deaths and injuries, the exact number of dead and injured has not been confirmed.

Security forces arrived at the scene and launched an operation, although no arrests have been made yet.

The explosion follows the murder of the former Bossaso checkpoint commander Barkhad Guduudane Buryar today in Bossaso.

Security officials in Bari region have not yet commented on the two incidents that took place today at the Puntland business center in Bossaso, and no one has yet claimed responsibility for the killings and explosions in Bossaso.