2nd LD: Senior officials killed in Mogadishu explosions

More than ten people including senior officials were killed and several others injured in explosions that hit a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Friday, said police and witnesses.

Mohamed Yusuf, spokesman for Somali Ministry of National Security, said the bomb killed several people, including two parliament members.

Police and witnesses said huge explosions were heard at the Central Hotel, usually frequented by politicians and foreigners.

The officials were meeting in the hotel, including the deputy prime minister who reportedly suffered a slight wound in the attack.

A female suicide bomber carried out a deadly attack at the hotel, former lawmaker Salad Ali Jelle told Xinhua.

Jelle said the female attacker blew herself at a mosque inside the hotel at noon where occupants were preparing for Friday prayers.

"Among those killed are minister for seaports, deputy mayor of Mogadishu and a parliament member," said a police officer who declined to be named.

He said minister for aviation and a lawmaker were among those wounded during the explosions.

Al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack via its online radio station. Police said they are investigating the incident.

The rescue operations are underway and the exact number of casualties is still unclear, while police at the scene told Xinhua that they have so far confirmed ten death.

The attack came amid an ongoing police counter-insurgency operation which killed one Al-Shabaab militant and nabbed others. Police had reported that some of the militants had escaped and were being pursued. Endi