Gunmen in Somalia's capital Mogadishu stormed a hotel Friday evening amid heavy explosions and intense gunfire, a policeman said.

"There was a loud blast and explosions at the Weheliye hotel, and we have reports armed men have stormed the building," said police officer Abdi Dhuhul. The hotel is in the centre of Mogadishu near the fortified government district, where Shebab insurgents have carried out repeated attacks.