Terror as 32 killed on beach in 'suicide bombing attack' at popular tourist resort

At least 32 people have been killed in a devastating suicide bombing attack at a popular tourist resort in Somalia.

The attack, carried out by terrorists from the Al-Qaeda-linked group Al-Shabaab, also left 63 people wounded.

The tragedy unfolded late Friday at Lido Beach in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

As people swam and enjoyed the beach, the terrorists opened fire before setting off an explosion.

Horrific footage and pictures from the scene captured the grim reality of the attack, showing the extent of the devastation.

Rescue efforts are ongoing as authorities work to manage the crisis and provide aid to the victims.

Local police spokesperson Abdifatah Adan Hassan reported that security forces quickly responded to the scene to confront "five gunmen."

During a press conference, Hassan said: "More than 32 civilians died in this attack, and about 63 others were wounded, some of them critically."

He also revealed that one attacker had blown himself up, three were killed by security forces, and the fifth was captured alive by police.

Witness Abdilatif Ali told AFP: "Everybody was panicked and it was hard to know what was happening because shooting started soon after the blast. I saw many people strewn on the ground, some dead and others wounded."

Another witness, observing from a nearby hotel, added: "I saw wounded people at the beach side, people were screaming in panic, and it was hard to notice who was dead and who was still alive."

Mohamud Moalim told AP that he saw one of the attackers wearing an explosive vest just before he "blew himself up next to the beach-view hotel."

Police officer Mohamed Omar confirmed that the attackers "shot civilians randomly."

Al-Shabaab, an Islamic extremist terror group, claimed responsibility for the attack in an online post, as reported by The New York Times.

Al-Shabaab, which once controlled large areas of Somalia including parts of the capital, has been significantly pushed back by local and international efforts.

However, the group continues to pose a significant threat.

Former prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire commented on the timing of the attack, he said: "The fact that the terrorist attack coincides with this night when the beach is the most congested shows the hostility of the terrorists to the Somali people."