Suicide car bomb exploded in front of Safari Hotel in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia on October 14, 2017. (Xinhua)

MOGADISHU, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- At least 40 people were killed and several others injured in a deadly bomb explosion near a popular hotel in Somali capital of Mogadishu on Saturday, the police said.

Adan Mohamed, a witness, told Xinhua that a vehicle loaded with explosives exploded at the junction of KM5 just opposite Safari hotel.

Suicide car bomb exploded in front of Safari Hotel in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia on October 14, 2017. (Xinhua)

Most of the dead were civilians who caught up in the explosion. Security forces have sealed off the blast site for investigation, Mohamed told Xinhua.

Another witness Hamdi Elmi, who was near the scene said the explosion was deafening and shook the entire surrounding area.

Suicide car bomb exploded in front of Safari Hotel in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia on October 14, 2017. (Xinhua)

"I was in a public service vehicle when the explosion went off. I could see smoke from my back and the whole place was shaking," said Hamdi, adding that "We learn the police had been trailing the vehicle with explosives."

Windowpanes and doors in buildings far from the scene were destroyed.

Suicide car bomb exploded in front of Safari Hotel in Mogadishu, capital of Somalia on October 14, 2017. (Xinhua)