Soldier fires at hungry people

MOGADISHU – A Somali government soldier opened fire yesterday at a crowd clamouring for food aid in Mogadishu and killed at least three people, witnesses said.

Three others were seriously wounded when the soldier fired in an apparent attempt to disperse a multitude trying to barge into a building where the aid was to be distributed. “People tried to push through a gate before the food aid arrived,” witness Halima Salad said.”One of the soldiers opened fire at the crowd.He killed three people and wounded three.”Another witness, Halimo Abdullahi, who lives in the same Abdiaziz district, said he believed five people died.”He shot at the crowd without warning.The people were waiting for food aid that was to be distributed by a local organisation.This is cold-blooded murder,” he said.Government officials were not immediately available to comment on the latest bloodshed in the chaotic cityNampa-Reuters”People tried to push through a gate before the food aid arrived,” witness Halima Salad said.”One of the soldiers opened fire at the crowd.He killed three people and wounded three.”Another witness, Halimo Abdullahi, who lives in the same Abdiaziz district, said he believed five people died.”He shot at the crowd without warning.The people were waiting for food aid that was to be distributed by a local organisation.This is cold-blooded murder,” he said.Government officials were not immediately available to comment on the latest bloodshed in the chaotic city Nampa-Reuters