At least 17 reportedly dead in Somalia's restaurant attack

At least 17 people have been killed in the ongoing attack in a restaurant in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, AP reported, citing an ambulance driver.

According to the driver with the Amin Ambulance service, his company also carried 26 wounded people.

Police said gunmen were still holding at least 20 people hostage in Mogadishu's Pizza House, Reuters reported.

The attack began with a bomb blast at the restaurant’s gate. Militants stormed the establishment shortly after.

The whole district surrounding the restaurant remains cordoned off, and the attackers are taking advantage of the darkness after cutting off the electricity, police told reporters.

The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

(CGTN)