The Radisson Blu hotel. [File photo]

BAMAKO - Gunmen attacked a luxury hotel frequented by foreigners in Mali's capital Bamako early on Friday and are believed to be holding hostages, a senior source with the security forces and witnesses said.

The raid targeted the Radisson Blu hotel, located just west of the city centre in a neighbourhood that is home to government ministries and diplomats, they said.

Several Chinese tourists were trapped in the hotel, according to Xinhua news agency, but the report didn't give an exact number.

Northern Mali was occupied by Islamist fighters, some with links to al Qaeda, for most of 2012. Although they were driven out by a French-led military operation, sporadic violence continues.

"Very early in the morning there was gunfire. Apparently it's an attempt to take hostages. The police are there and are sealing off the area," the security source said.

Witnesses in the area said police had surrounded the hotel and were blocking roads leading into the neighbourhood.

The US Embassy tweeted that it was "aware of an ongoing active shooter operation at the Radisson Hotel," and instructed its citizens to stay indoors.

An Islamist group claimed responsibility for the death of five people last March in an attack on a restaurant in Bamako popular with foreigners.

Bamako is seen during a harmattan dust storm, in this file picture taken February 19, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Chinese Embassy alert

The Chinese Embassy in Mali issued an alert, warning Chinese people there to be on guard and be aware of personal safety and avoid going to crowded places and the accident areas.

Following hotlines are available for any kind of assistance:

00223-78110040 or 00223-20213597 can be dialed for consular protection and assistance from the Chinese Embassy in Mali.

0086-1012308 or 0086-10-59913991 is an emergency rescue hotline of the Chinese Foreign Ministry to provide consular protection and assistance to Chinese citizens.