At least 10 people were killed in an attack by Islamic militants who stormed a hotel in Somalia's capital late Friday, police and eyewitnesses said.
Several other people were injured and security forces rescued many others, including children, from the scene of the attack at Mogadishu's Hayat Hotel, they said.Gunfire could still be heard early Saturday as security forces tried to contain the last gunmen, who were thought to be holed up in the hotel. It was unclear how many militants remained on the hotel's top floor.
The Islamic extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, the latest of its frequent attempts to strike places that are often visited by government officials.“We were having tea near the hotel lobby when we heard the first blast followed by gunfire. I immediately rushed toward hotel rooms on the ground floor, and I locked,” eyewitness Abdullahi Hussein told the AP by phone. “The militants went straight upstairs and started shooting.
He said that on his way to safety he saw “several bodies lying on the ground outside hotel reception.”
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
At least 10 killed as gunmen storm hotel in Somalia | CBC NewsAt least 10 people were killed in an attack by Islamic militants who stormed a hotel in Somalia's capital late Friday, police and witnesses said.
Read more »
At least 12 killed in Somalia hotel siege, hostages heldAt least 12 people were killed in Somalia\u0027s capital Mogadishu when al Qaeda\u002Dlinked militants attacked a hotel and seized hostages on Friday.
Read more »
Unidentified armed attackers seize control of hotel in Somali capital, officers sayPolice and intelligence officers say the attackers seized control of the hotel after two car bomb blasts and gunfire in Mogadishu
Read more »
Police: Death toll in Afghan capital mosque bombing now 21KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A bombing at a mosque in the Afghan capital of Kabul during evening prayers killed at least 21 people, including a prominent cleric,…
Read more »
Hurricane winds, fierce storms leave 7 dead in France, ItalyViolent thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds left at least seven dead Thursday in France and Italy.The storm produced gusts of more than 220 kph (136 mph) in some areas
Read more »
Hurricane-force winds, fierce storms leave at least seven people dead in France and ItalyThe storm uprooted trees in Tuscany and on the French island of Corsica and ripped away brick shards from St. Mark’s famed bell tower in Venice
Read more »