Fire kills eight in Somalia

Published April 12, 2004

MOGADISHU, April 11: At least eight people were killed after a huge fire swept through Somalia's main market on Saturday night, witnesses said on Sunday.

The victims were either burned to death as they tried to salvage their property at the Bakara Market or shot dead by armed guards trying to stop crowds from looting.

The blaze began in the middle of the night and spread rapidly to shops selling clothes, household goods and jewellery, witnesses said. A lack of fire-fighting equipment hampered rescue efforts. -Reuters

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