A powerful explosion has killed at least three people near the port of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, the BBC quoted police as saying Sunday.

At least another seven people were injured, police added. The blast was followed by the sound of gunfire.

One report said a suicide bomber had targeted a tax collection facility at the port but this was not confirmed.

Images posted on social media show a cloud of smoke mushrooming over the city. No group has said it carried out the attack.

But the Somali Islamist group al-Shabab often carries out such bombings in the capital.

Source: MENA