At least 22 people have been killed and more than 55 others injured in a truck car bomb that exploded near SYL hotel right in front of Somali presidential palace in Mogadishu.

Some of the injured, who included government officials, MPs, a minister, journalists and civilians, were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. A number of the injured are due to be taken abroad for specialized treatment.

Somali minister for health, Mohamed Haji Abdinoor, and some government officials visited Medina Hospital in Mogadishu where most of the injured were admitted.

“We are considering taking the seriously injured patients abroad for further treatment. We are ready to airlift them outside the country for specialized treatment”, Mohamed Haji Abdinoor said during a press conference in Medina Hospital.

It is not the first time the federal government of Somalia said it would airlift victims of terror to hospitals out of the country for proper medical care.