Mogadishu — A massive car bomb have hit the centre of Mogadishu, Somalia's capital, leaving at least ten people killed, police have said.

A loud explosion resounded near the National theatre, a reporter at the scene said.

Police official Mohamed Duale said: "We've counted at least eight dead so far. It was a car bomb attack near the National Theatre."

The dead were among passengers in a minibus and several road side shops were caught in the blast, according to witnesses.

Hassan Salad, a witness said: "This is a disaster," he said, "there is smoke and dead bodies thrown all around."

Security has improved in Mogadishu over the past year following the withdrawal of the al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab group.

A new Somali government was formed last year tasked with ending instability.

No group has said it carried out the attack.

A reporter at the scene, Mohammed Moalimu, says ambulances are rushing the wounded to hospital.

The massive explosion damaged nearby buildings, however, did not damage the National Theatre, he adds.

Somali has seen more than 20 years of conflict, with clan-based warlords, rival politicians and Islamist militants battling for control of the country.

A new government backed by the UN came to power last September.