A car bomb has exploded outside a seafront restaurant in the Somali capital Mogadishu, police say.

Witnesses told the BBC’s Ibrahim Aden that the explosives-laden car rammed a restaurant at the popular Lido Beach. Five gunmen then opened fire.

There is no information yet on casualties.

No group has said it carried out the attack, but suspicion will fall on al-Shabab which has carried out similar bombings in the past.

Lido Beach, on the northern edge of Mogadishu,attracts thousands of mostly young Somalislooking to relax and enjoy the beach and the surf.

Several restaurants, which people tend to sit out in front of, have opened up along the beach front in recent years.

The vehicle rammed the entrance to one of the restaurants at about 19:30 local time (16:30 GMT). Up to five gunmen then approached from a different direction, shooting at those relaxing on the beach.

Senior police office Major Abdiqadir Ali told Reuters news agency that the attack took place at the entrance of Beach View Café.

He said a police investigation is under way.

Source: BBC