MOGADISHU (SD) – At least eight people have been killed and over a dozen sustained injuries after a car bomb exploded outside the international airport in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.

“A car bomb targeted a convoy, including bullet proof cars using Avisione street, we do not who owns the convoy. We carried eight dead people from the scene,” Abdikadir Abdirahman, director of Aamin Ambulance service told Reuters.

The explosion damaged four cars and two motor rickshaws. 

A paramedic was attending to at least 10 injured persons.

Mogadishu’s deputy mayor, Ali Abdi Wardhere, told reporters at the scene that his own convoy had been driving nearby at the time but was unharmed. 

“We know that at least 10 people were killed, including five soldiers in the bomb explosion” along with several injuries,” Ali said.

He said an investigation was underway and gave a toll of five soldiers killed and five civilians injured.

Al-Shabaab extremist group claimed responsibility of the attack in a brief statement, saying it targeted “foreign officers.”