‘Ten dead’ in siege at Somali hotel

At least ten people have been killed and more than a dozen others injured in a siege at a beachside hotel in Somalia’s capital, according to police.

Security forces are battling Islamic extremist gunmen who have invaded the building in Mogadishu. Security forces have so far shot dead two of the attackers in the hotel amid fears of hostage crisis inside the complex, Ismail Mukhtar, a spokesman for Somalia’s information ministry, said.

Military vehicles could be seen taking positions around the hotel amid the darkness of night, which officials worry could prolong the siege.

Captain Mohamed Hussein said the attack started with a powerful car bomb which blew off the security gates to the Elite Hotel.

Then gunmen ran inside and took hostages, mostly young men and women who were dining at the hotel, he said.

Security forces rescued more than ten people from the siege and were trying to prevent the attackers from moving up to the top floor, he added.