At least 20 passengers were killed when their commuter minibus they were traveling in was hit by a landmine in Lower Shabelle region of southern Somalia on Thursday evening, officials said.

Deputy Governor of Lower Shabelle region for Security Affairs Ali Nure Mohamed told reporters that Al-Shabaab militants planted the landmine on the ground to blow up African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) vehicles using the road.

"The deadly incident happened in Golweyne town this evening. Twenty civilians, mostly women on a minibus from Barawe town and heading to Marka town in lower Shabelle were killed in a landmine blast," said Mohamed.

He said that the militants intended to target AU vehicles that often use the way joining Barawe town and Mogadishu.

Deadly incidents of civilians on board often take place routinely in the region due to either landmine blasts or accidents involving AMISOM troops.

No group has claimed responsibility for the latest attack but Al-Shabaab militants are believed to be behind the blast as the group has previously carried out similar attacks on Somalia and AU troops in the Horn of Africa nation.

Source: Xinhua