An armed group stormed an upmarket shopping mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi Saturday, killing at least three people and sparking a fierce gun battle, police said. The situation as it stands right now is that there is a hostage situation and military personel are in the are trying to diffuse the situation.
The three hours of horror have seen around seven more bodies discovered from the shooting. The Aga Khan hospital is busy as many of those injured are being rushed for attendance. The gunmen are still in the building but there is no specific information as to what floor they are in.
It was unclear how many hostages the attackers took, but police are trying to negotiate for their release and retake the building, according to the source.
Nairobi police chief Benson Kibue said this was a terrorist attack and that there are likely no more than 10 terrorists involved, as gunfire continues to be exchanged.
Manish Turohit, 18, says he saw gunmen with AK-47s and vests with hand grenades on them inside the mall. He escaped after hiding in the parking garage for two hours.
A group of people remain in hiding inside the mall.
The military warned the local media to be wary of what they televised, saying the gunmen are watching the screens in the mall.
Crowds fled down the streets as soldiers in military fatigues crawled under cars to get closer to the mall, guns cocked.
Surveillance helicopters flew overhead.
“We urge Kenyans to keep off Westgate mall , adjacent roads and its environs until further notice,” the Interior Ministry said on its Twitter page.
It declined to release further information, saying it will issue a statement later.
“We’re doing our job to ensure that everyone is evacuated to safety,” the ministry said. “This is a scene of crime, let police do their job.”
Local TV stations report that multiple shooters were at the scene and terrified shoppers were hiding inside the mall, which is popular among expatriates and the wealthy.
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