A fire broke out on Tuesday in the Abdalla Shideeye section of Bakara Market in Mogadishu, causing significant property damage.
Traders at the market said the blaze affected numerous businesses, although the full extent of the losses and whether there were any casualties have not yet been officially confirmed.
Fire engines, assisted by local residents, worked to extinguish the blaze and prevent it from spreading to other parts of the market.
Authorities have yet to issue an official assessment of the damage or determine the cause of the fire.
“The losses are enormous. My electrical goods shop, which contained merchandise worth tens of thousands of dollars, was completely destroyed,” said trader Ali Hassan.
The Abdalla Shideeye section is Bakara Market’s main electronics trading area. Bakara is Somalia’s largest market and one of the country’s most important commercial hubs.
The official cause of the fire has not yet been announced.
However, conflicting accounts have emerged from different sources. Some said the blaze was caused by an electrical fault, while others suggested it started from a cooking gas cylinder.
The Banadir Regional Administration later announced that the fire had been brought under control and successfully extinguished.
A major fire that caused millions of dollars in losses broke out today in the Abdalla Shideeye section of Bakara Market in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Traders at the market said the blaze damaged numerous businesses, although the full extent of the property losses and whether there were… pic.twitter.com/JSZkXy9cr2
During a visit to the scene, Banadir Regional Administration Deputy Governor for Public Works, Abdimajid Dahir Adan, assessed the situation and ongoing emergency response efforts.
He praised the firefighting teams for their professionalism, dedication, and swift response, saying their efforts played a crucial role in containing the blaze and preventing even greater damage.
Officials have not yet released an official estimate of the financial losses caused by the fire.
The blaze affected part of Bakara Market, the largest market in Somalia and one of the country’s most vital commercial centers, where thousands of families depend on trade and daily business for their livelihoods.
Fires at Bakara Market have become a recurring problem over the years, with no lasting solution found.
Congested access roads and poor urban planning in Mogadishu have frequently been blamed for hampering firefighting efforts and contributing to repeated incidents that leave traders suffering heavy financial losses.
