Somali PM unhurt in blast

An explosion killed at least seven people at a soccer stadium in Somalia's capital yesterday, just moments after the Prime Minister had addressed hundreds of supporters, government officials and witnesses said.

Prime Minister Ali Gedi, who escaped unhurt, told reporters in Mogadishu the blast appeared to be an accident, but another official in his government said it was a bomb.

"I am very sorry for what happened at the stadium. It is an unexpected accident and I send condolences to the relatives," Mr Gedi said.

Colonel Abdi Hassan Awale, the police chief in the last government who is working with Mr Gedi's security people, said seven were killed and that the blast was under investigation.