A suspected suicide bomber has detonated an explosives-packed car at the gate of a popular hotel in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, according to police.

The powerful blast on Wednesday was followed by a second explosion, with attackers fighting their way inside the building.

“Shooting is taking place. It is too early to know more details,” Major Ali Hussein, a police officer at the scene, told the Reuters news agency.

Several Somali journalists said on social media that the target of the attack was Dayah Hotel, located near Somalia’s parliament in central Mogadishu.

The hotel is popular among politicians, government officials and entrepreneurs.

There were no immediate reports of casualties and no immediate claim of responsibility.

Armed group al-Shabab has carried out a series of deadly attacks in Somalia to try to topple the country’s Western-backed government.

More to follow…