Somali hotel hit by deadly bomb and gun attack

Image caption The hotel at Lido beach is said to be frequented by government officials

At least five people have reportedly been killed after a gun and bomb attack on a hotel in the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

A vehicle packed with explosives was rammed into the back of the Elite Hotel in the Lido beach area, after which gunmen stormed the building and took hostages, reports said.

Security forces are said to be trying to regain control of the hotel.

No group has so far said it is behind the attack.

However, the Islamist militant group al-Shabab has carried out similar attacks in the past.

"There is still sporadic gunfire and the initial information we have received indicates five people died and more than 10 others were wounded," government security official Ahmed Omar said

"The death toll can increase because the blast was massive and there is a hostage situation involved."

Some reports have put the death toll at 15.

The hotel is frequently used by government officials and the privately-owned Somali news website Dhacdoone described it as one of the most heavily guarded facilities in Mogadishu.