Gunmen have stormed a luxury hotel in the Malian capital of Bamako, iniating a nine-hour siege that may have left as many as 18 people dead.

The Radisson Blu hotel, to the west of the centre of the city, is believed to have been “90 per cent full” when the two gunmen stormed the building.

A security source told AFP the attack was unfolding “on the seventh floor, jihadists are firing in the corridor”. Additional reports from local media indicated an explosion may have been heard, with district residents reporting hearing on-going gunfire.

Malian army commander Modibo Nama Traore told the Associated Press news agency as many as 10 gunmen were involved in the assault.

Mr Traore also claimed the men shouted “Allah Akbar” before they fired on the guards and took hostages.