MOGADISHU, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 28 people have been injured in a car bombing attack on a popular beach hotel in Somalia's capital Mogadishu on Sunday, a medical charity said.

Abdikadir Abdirrahman, director of Aamin Ambulance, confirmed the number of casualties after al-Shabab fighters rammed a car bomb into the Elite Hotel in Liido Beach and then stormed inside the hotel.

"So far, we can confirm that 28 were injured in the attack," Abdirahman told Xinhua by phone.

Huge gunfire was still raging inside the hotel. Plumes of thick black smoke could be seen billowing from the scene.

The witnesses said the car laden with explosives went off within the vicinity of the popular Elite Hotel in Liido Beach which was only recently opened.

Dhame Sadik Adan, a police spokesman, confirmed the hotel attack but could not disclose the number of casualties.

"Al-Shabab terrorists targeted a hotel in Liido Beach resulting in many casualties. Right now, I have not established the number of casualties," Adan told Xinhua by phone.

Sources said the attackers entered the Elite hotel after setting off a car bomb outside the gate.

The hotel which is owned by a Somali lawmaker is frequented by government officials and businessmen.

Sources said some government officials are believed to have been inside the hotel at the time of the attack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. Enditem

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