Ali, a mother of four, said she had visited most of Mogadishu's hospitals but neither she nor other family members found any sign of him.


"I am about to give up," she said in a soft voice, tears running over her veil. "Nothing is more painful than not knowing the whereabouts of your loved ones, whether life or death."

Across Mogadishu, Somalia's flag flew at half-mast, marking three days of national mourning. Mayor Thabit Abdi called for a citywide march on Wednesday in honor of the victims — and as a show of defiance.

"We must liberate this city which is awash with graves," Abdi said.

The death toll of 302 is expected to rise. Nearly 70 people were missing, based on accounts from relatives, said police Capt. Mohamed Hussein.

"My son has gone missing since the day of the attack. I would be very lucky if I had a portion of his body," Abdulkadir Mohamud said, breaking down in tears. "I do not have even his flesh. Please bring my son back."