Al-Shabaab terror attack leaves dozens dead in Somali capital Mogadishu

Extremists have attacked a hotel and the popular Lido Beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu, resulting in the deaths of more than 30 people, including the five terrorists, and injuring dozens of others, a police spokesman said.

At least 32 people have been killed and scores wounded following a suicide bombing and gun attack at a popular beach in the Somali capital Mogadishu, police said Saturday.

"More than 32 civilians died in this attack, and about 63 others were wounded, some of them critically," police spokesman Abdifatah Adan Hassan told reporters, increasing the initial death toll from seven.

The radical terrorist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

Abdifatah Adan Hassan, Somali police spokesman, told a news conference on Saturday that the attack included a suicide explosion followed by gunfire.

"After the suicide bomber massacred innocent civilians who were at the beach for Friday relaxation three terrorist attackers stormed the Beach View Hotel," he said.

He added that security forces killed three attackers inside the hotel after a firefight and two security personnel were injured, with one of them later succumbing to his injuries.

"I was wounded in the arm by an artillery shell," said Shamso Abdi, who had spent the evening at the Lido Beach Hotel with friends. One of her friends had suffered head injuries and was in critical condition, she said. Panic broke out in the hotel, she told dpa. "Everyone ran for their lives."

A suicide bomber blew himself up at the hotel entrance on Friday evening. The other attackers tried to storm the hotel and also fired on people on the beach, where many residents were walking or sitting.

Horrifying images spread on social media: People fleeing the beach in panic, others lying bleeding and screaming in the sand, pictures and videos from eyewitnesses showed. Shots can be heard in the background. Rescue teams were unable to reach the injured as the shooting continued.

In addition to gunfire, explosions could also be heard. A beach hotel was also the target of the attack.

Lido Beach is a favourite weekend destination for Mogadishu residents. According to police reports, the shooting was preceded by an explosion from a suicide bomber.

In July, 11 people died in a terrorist attack on a restaurant during the final of the European Football Championship.

The site of the attack is frequented by civilians, security officials, and businesspeople.

Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the deadly attack.

Somalia has been plagued by insecurity for years, with the main threats emanating from al-Shabaab and the Daesh/ISIS terror groups.

Since 2007, al-Shabaab has been fighting the Somali government and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia-a multidimensional mission authorized by the African Union and mandated by the UN Security Council.

The terror group has stepped up attacks since Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared an "all-out war" on the group.