UPDATED:

MOGADISHU: At least 13 people were killed on Wednesday in Somalia's capital Mogadishu when al Shabaab militants rammed a car bomb into the gate of a hotel and stormed inside, police said.

"At least 13 people, including forces and civilians, died in two blasts at the hotel. A dozen others were injured," Major Mohamed Ahmed, a police officer, told Reuters, adding that the death toll could rise.

Suspected suicide car bomb rams hotel in Somali capital: police

MOGADISHU: A suspected suicide car bomb rammed into the gate of a hotel in the Somali capital Mogadishu on Wednesday and militants stormed inside, police and witnesses said.

There were no immediate reports about casualties and no immediate claim of responsibility. The Somali Islamist group al Shabaab often carries out attacks in the capital.

"Shooting is taking place. It is too early to know more details," Major Ali Hussein, a police officer at the scene, told Reuters, shortly before a second blast was heard in the area.