At least six people were killed and 16 others injured in a suicide car bombing targeting Mogadishu's Hodan district headquarters, according to local authorities.

Militant group al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for the attack.

"We know so far that at least six people died in the blast. The offices of the district were also destroyed by the explosion," police officer Abukar Mohamed told Xinhua.

Emergency services provider Aamin Ambulance's director, Abdikadir Abdirrahman, told Xinhua that 16 people have been taken to hospital.

Witnesses described the blast as devastating.

"I have seen many people injured in the blast and many buildings destroyed," one eyewitness, Nur Farah, told Xinhua.