Abdi Ahmed, a local district official, told The Associated Press Friday night that the death toll may rise as fighting is continuing inside the Asasey Hotel between the extremist gunmen and security forces. He said gunfire is continuing inside the hotel.
He said most of the victims were patrons of the hotel, which is often frequented by lawmakers and local officials. He said the victims include two journalists.
Somalia's al-Shabab Islamic extremist rebels have claimed the responsibility for the attack.
The attack started with a suicide car bomb blast and then gunmen stormed into the hotel.
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