MOGADISHU, June 26, 2016 (Xinhua) -- People help an injured man out of the gunfire site by a notel Mogadishu, Somalia, June 25, 2016. Twin car bomb explosions rocked a hotel in the center of the Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday, followed by ongoing gunfire. (Xinhua/Faisal Isse)
MOGADISHU, June 25 (Xinhua) -- At least 11 people were killed and scores injured in twin car bomb explosions on a hotel in Somali capital Mogadishu on Saturday afternoon, a police officer has said.
Police officer Mohamed Nor, who was at the scene, told Xinhua those killed were mostly civilians who were in the Nasa-Hablod Hotel at the time of the explosions.
"The first explosion hit the entrance of the hotel and gunmen entered the hotel. A second explosion happened immediately thereafter," Nor said.
He said security agencies were "responding to the situation".
Islamist group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Sporadic gunfire can still be heard from the hotel and police reports indicated there was hostage situation.
Nasa-Hablod Hotel is located at the central business district in Mogadishu and frequented by politicians.
The Al-Shabaab militants, fighting against the Somali government, frequently carry out attacks in Mogadishu.
Early this month, at least 10 people were killed and dozens injured in an Al-Shabaab attack on another hotel in Mogadishu.
