Several gunmen stormed the heavily fortified Asasey Hotel in Kismayo, about 500 km south of the capital Mogadishu, after detonating a car bomb at the entrance gate, police captain Mahad Abdia told CNN.

Somali-Canadian journalist and YouTube star.Hodan Nalayeh and her husband Farid were killed in the attack.

A candidate for regional presidency, tribal elders, and journalists were also among the dead, Abdia told CNN.

Dozens of people were reportedly rescued from the hotel by security forces.

Terror group Al Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Rita Katz, Director of SITE Intelligence Group, tweeted: "Breaking: #Shabaab claims the suicide operation and ensuing armed assault at Hotel Asasey in the port city #Kismayo, southern #Somalia. Clashes reportedly ongoing. 1st such operation in the city, with tactics similar to those seen in #Mogadishu and #RiversideAttack in #Nairobe."

Hassan Ali Khayre, Somalia's Prime Minister condemned "the brutal attack" in a statement Friday, and sent condolences to the relatives of the victims, reported CNN.