ContactSupporting Safari Hotel blast recovery efforts in Somalia
In 2017, a flat-bed lorry packed with explosives was detonated outside the Safari Hotel in Mogadishu.
The vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) was believed to contain 300kg of explosives and caused the largest explosion in the city’s history.
All buildings within 300m of the VBIED blast site were damaged beyond repair, thousands of people were injured and more than 300 killed.
A significant blast wave was felt in SafeLane Global's Camp Banadir over 2km away, where it has been working on a counter-IED training mission.
SafeLane's rapid response
SafeLane Global immediately deployed all available assets to the RMSI, AU hospital and ambulance pick-up points within Mogadishu International Airport (MIA).
It then sent IED mentor units, plant mentors, combat engineers, medics and explosive detection dog teams to the blast site to aid the recovery effort in whatever way it could.
In the days that followed the explosion the African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM) cordoned the blast site whilst SafeLane Global personnel worked tirelessly to support recovery efforts and to help search for survivors.
Its recovery team also organised plant equipment, conducted structural assessments on damaged buildings, led the post blast investigation, checked for explosive remnants and provided advice to Somali National Army Commanders.
SafeLane Global is tremendously proud of its personnel's contribution to this operation and the flexibility and determination shown by its Somalia-based team in a highly complex environment.
Mogadishu Memorial Run
Personnel further exemplified their compassion and commitment to the victims of this attack by participating in the Mogadishu Memorial Run 2018. This event sought to promote awareness of explosive hazards and raised funds to support the victims of the 14th October attack.
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