A police officer who requested not to be named told Xinhua there were many casualties at the scene. A second blast went off shortly after the first in the same location.

Residents said there was a huge smoke billowing from the scene after a huge explosion followed with gunfire was heard outside the hotel.

Residents said emergency services were evacuating the wounded persons after suspected suicide bomber detonated Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) ouside the hotel.

A witness said a second explosion went off just when a truck tried to tow a small vehicle from the scene as rescue teams were trying to access the scene.

The attack happened as the country’s leaders converged in Mogadishu for a high level security meeting following the Oct. 14 truck bombing that killed more than 350 people. The meeting is scheduled to kick of Sunday.