A suicide bomber belonging to the Islamist insurgent group, al-Shabaab, killed at least 10 people on Thursday in central Somalia.
Officials and witnesses said the attack targeted a convoy carrying a senior regional official in the town of Galkayo, 750 kilometres north of the capital, Mogadishu.
A senior police officer, who asked to remain anonymous, said the official and several of his bodyguards were killed.
A witness, Jama Yusuf, said there was blood everywhere, adding that he saw several bodies.
He said because the attack occurred very close to a hotel, apparently some of the occupants may have been injured.
Meanwhile, Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack, on its Radio Andalus. (dpa/NAN)