At least 14 people were killed and 10 others wounded when a suicide bomber blew themselves up outside a hotel in Mogadishu.

Islamic extremist group al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attacks. Hostages were taken into the Naasa Hablood hotel by the militants.

Somali security forces soon entered the hotel and are "in the process of restoring security," according to police official Ibrahim Mohamed.

The attack lasted for several hours, and the exact number of dead and injured is not yet known.