President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says at least 100 people have been killed in two car bombings near a busy junction in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu.
“Among those who were massacred were mothers with children in their arms,” ​​AFP news agency quoted the president as saying.
He appealed for international medical assistance to deal with the 300 injured.
The president blamed Saturday’s attack on the Al-Shabaab militant group, which targeted the Ministry of Education.
The pro-jihadist Somali Memo website reported that the group said it was behind the blasts.
Al-Qaeda-affiliated, al-Shabaab has been engaged in a long-standing conflict with the federal Somali government.
After an attack on a popular Mogadishu hotel in August killed at least 21 people, President Mohammed vowed “all-out war” against Islamist militants who have been in power for five months.
Saturday’s explosions occurred within minutes of each other, destroying nearby buildings and vehicles.
According to News agency, the first attack hit the Ministry of Education and then the second as medical teams arrived to deal with the aftermath.
Almost five years ago, a lorry exploded at the same point, killing more than 500 people – the worst attack in the country’s history.
After Saturday’s attack, hundreds of people have gathered near the scene and are searching for missing family members.
A prominent journalist and a senior police officer are also among the dead.
“I am here to tell the Somali people that such attacks will not happen again in October, God willing,” President Mohammed said after visiting the scene. .
“The bombing was a message sent by the militants to show that they are still alive, despite the fact that they have been defeated on the battlefield by government forces,” he added.
The African Union (AU) mission in Somalia said the “attacks underscore the urgency and importance of the ongoing military operation to further degrade al-Shabaab”.
The US, Turkey, Qatar and Germany have all condemned the attack.
Al-Shabaab has been fighting the AU-backed federal government for control of Somalia for nearly 15 years.
The group controls much of southern and central Somalia, but has also been able to expand its influence in areas controlled by the Mogadishu-based government.
