At least 7 dead in attack on Somali hotel, militants may have hostages
At least 7 are dead following an attack on a hotel in the Somali capital, police said, adding the militants may have hostages, Reuters reported.
Suspected Islamist fighters stormed a popular hotel in Mogadishu Friday, trapping government officials inside, police and witnesses said.
A huge blast was heard near the gate of the hotel and gunmen were seen inside and on the roof of the building, Major Ismail Olow, a Mogadishu police officer at the scene, told Reuters.
"The hotel is now fully under the control of the militants," he said. "Al-Shabaab fighters are on the top of the building and inside the hotel. It is not easy for us to go in."
A Reuters witness saw two destroyed cars at the gate.