1st LD: At least six killed in Mogadishu hotel blast

At least six people were killed on Sunday after a hotel blast in the Somali capital Mogadishu, police and witnesses said.

Police officer Abdulle Mohamed told Xinhua that a suicide bomber detonated his car at the gate of Jazera hotel, which is located near Mogadishu international airport.

"Suicide bomber rammed his car in the gate of the hotel, at least six civilians died," he said, adding that the death toll could rise "because the blast was huge".

Witnesses told Xinhua they heard heavy explosion near the airport and then knew that Jazera hotel was targeted.

"We heard huge blast and then we saw huge smoke billowing from the scene," said Fadumo Ali, a Mogadishu resident.

Jazera hotel is one of the luxury hotels in the capital, and sometimes hosts high-level meetings.

No group has claimed responsibility by far. Endit