Funerals begin as Somalia truck bombing toll reaches 276

Somali children assist other civilians and security forces in their rescue efforts by carrying away unidentified charred human remains in a cardboard box, to clear the scene of Saturday's blast, in Mogadishu, Somalia, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. The death toll from the huge truck bomb blast in Somalia's capital rose to over 50 Sunday, with more than 60 others injured, as hospitals struggled to cope with the high number of casualties, security and medical sources said. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh) Somali children assist other civilians and security forces in their rescue efforts by carrying away unidentified charred human remains in a cardboard box, to clear the scene of Saturday's blast, in Mogadishu, Somalia, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017. The death toll from the huge truck bomb blast in Somalia's capital rose to over 50 Sunday, with more than 60 others injured, as hospitals struggled to cope with the high number of casualties, security and medical sources said. (AP Photo/Farah Abdi Warsameh)

By Associated Press October 16, 2017 1 min read

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) – Funerals have begun and the death toll is expected to rise as Somalia reels from the deadliest single attack it’s ever experienced.

The government says 276 were killed in Saturday’s truck bombing in Mogadishu and about 300 others are injured. Somalia is blaming the al-Shabab extremist group, which has not commented.

Officials say more than 70 critically injured people are being airlifted to Turkey for treatment as international aid begins to arrive.

Nervous relatives stand on the tarmac at the airport, praying for the recovery of their loved ones.

Overwhelmed hospitals in Mogadishu are struggling to assist other badly wounded victims, many burned beyond recognition.