Gunmen threw grenades and opened fire inside Nairobi’s most upscale mall, killing at least 22 people and wounding dozens on Saturday.
A Kenya Red Cross official gave the death toll and reporters said they saw several dead bodies more than two hours after the attack began at the Westgate shopping centre. Officials did not give an official death toll.
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.
A witness to the attacks, Elijah Kamau, said that gunmen told Muslims to stand up and leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted.
Somali’s rebel group al-Shabab vowed in late 2011 to carry out a large-scale attack in Nairobi in retaliation for Kenya’s sending of troops into Somalia to fight the Islamic insurgents.
Police helicopters circled above the mall as armed police shouted “get out! get out!” and scores of shoppers fled the building. Smoke poured out of one entrance of the high and witnesses said they heard grenade blasts.
Others said they saw about five armed assailants storm the beige stone Westgate shopping mall and that the incident appeared to be an attack rather than an armed robbery.
“They don’t seem like thugs, this is not a robbery incident,” said Yukeh Mannasseh who was on the mall’s top floor when the shooting started. “It seems like an attack. The guards who saw them said they were shooting indiscriminately.”
One eyewitness who identified himself as Taha said he heard the screech of brakes followed moments later by an explosion and then sustained gun fire from the ground floor.
Another survivor said he was shot by a man who looked Somali.
Some shoppers ran up stairs and escalators and hid around the mall’s cinema complex. Police found another terrified group hiding in a toilet on the first floor.
At least two dozen wounded were wheeled out on stretchers and shopping trolleys. Many of the victims had multiple light wounds, apparently from flying debris. Others walked out, some with bloodied clothing wrapped around wounds.
Reuters correspondents saw at least 20 bodies in two different locations.
The Kenyan Red Cross said at least 15 had been killed and more casualties were still inside the complex.
“The casualties are many, and that’s only what we have on the outside,” Kenya Red Cross Society Secretary General Abbas Guled said. “Inside there are even more casualties and shooting is still going on.”
“CARNAGE”
Al Shabaab have previously threatened to launch strikes on Nairobi’s tower blocks and soft targets including nightclubs and hotels known to be popular with Westerners in the capital. But they have so far failed to carry out such an attack.
“I personally touched the eyes of four people and they were dead. One of them was a child,” said one former British soldier at the scene.
“It’s carnage up there.”
Asked if the attack was a robbery, one paramilitary officer said: “No, terrorist”. There has, though, been no official statement from the police regarding the attackers’ motive.
Police cordoned off the roads surrounding the mall in central Nairobi’s Westlands neighborhood.
Satpal Singh, who was in another cafe on the mall’s top floor said he ran downstairs when he heard the gunfire and was shot at near the mall’s main exit.
“A Somali guy shot at me. The guy who shot me was carrying a rifle, an AK-47,” 36-year-old Singh said.
(Reporting by Edmund Blair and Goran Tomasevic; Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Ralph Boulton)
Source:CBCnews,Reuters
Very sad indeed! What a cowardly act attacking families and shoppers on a busy saturday afternoon in a mall.May the souls of those who perished rest in peace,a speedy recovery to the wounded and strength for the families and friends adversely affected.
What is the difference between a cowardly and non cowardly attack?
@Chipembele, are you a Muslim or something? For you to ask such a rhetoric question with such bad timing when scores of innocent children, women and men going about their shopping are being slaughtered is very sick of you. Islam is a satanic religion and you fit in squarely.
@Chipembele — A brave act would have been if these bunch attacked a military installation and fought armed, prepared men while sparing the civilians.
A cowardly attack is exactly what happened, against a “soft target,” against people unarmed and unprepared in any way for a full attack with grenades and automatic rifles.
Notice how I never said in either case were these attackers RIGHT or doing a good thing. I simply said that in the former case, I could give them at least grudging respect for fighting against a legitimate enemy.
Please go to youtube and watch Professor Alan Sabrosky’s TESTIMONY on 9-11 as an Israeli FASLE FLAG. This paper wont allow me to put the links.
This appears more like the Christian terrorist Breivek, of Norway, who was instigated from London. The Norman history of England is unknown to most people. The Normans took over Scotland and the whole world. Their first target was the French Normandy, the name to search is Rollow and William the Bust…ard who killed the king of England. Some say that it was a revenge for destroying the Druid and Irminsul religion in Europe and their sacred Oak trees. People really should research the ancient history and ethnography of Europe and see what lessons they can learn from them.
I don’t comment on things like these…
All those who kill in the name of God are dogs. The books they revere are garbage. The place of worship they attend are terrorists camps.
True religion teaches tolerance, diversity and compassion not only for fellow human beings but for the universe.
Heartfelt condolences for the great citizens of Kenya
Our unflinching support for the Kenyans.
This Mao is an Israeli Mossad Agent Onduty.
His singular goal on the internet to make the two fight.
The Khazar modus operandi is singular, which is to make others fight and the wiNNer is always the THIRD party. This is because their population is small and this is the ONLY workable tactic to them.
Well spoken.
I feel for innocent Somalian’s in Kenya as they will surely be retaliation…even on the innocent
Just remember that Ndola & Chaisa/ Emmasdale in Zambia are the hubs for the Somali’s in Zambia.
If they fear for themselves and have concerns for their children, they shall come out in large numbers and speak against terrorists and castigate all fanatics. There is no way they want to enjoy the hospitality of Kenya while hunting with (or remaining docile and indirectly supporting) the Terrorists from their country and faith.
Nip the evil in the bud.
These Somali vermin couldn’t face kenyan military when kenya invaded somalia so these cowards go attacking innocent shoppers? We support Kenyans to finnish off these terrorists.
These Somali vermin directed all Muslims to leave the mall before went on their heinous crime against humanity.
What has Kenyan Muslims to say about this? Shall Kenyans tell them to leave Kenya since you did not stand with fellow Kenyans and left the Mall to give free hand to terrorists to segregate and kill innocent people of other faith.
Where does your loyalty lie, Kenya or Somalia or Wahabi religion of Saudi Arabia?
Only egypt can tame this fake religion
Killing innocent people like this is truly horrific. Sharing a border with lawless Somali is a real pain. But what I really really find troubling is the deafening silence from the Muslim world whenever a group of mentally sick men go out and kill innocent harmless civilians in this day and age in the name of ‘peaceful’ Islam. Its a total paradox and greatly puzzling. This is proof that Islam is truly Satanic.
What kind of religion is this which opens fire and kills innocent people? Are there any muslims in Zambia?
Mmmm, my Neighbour in Chipata was a Moslem and a good chap! We used to take some drinks to the bar most weekends and his wife even stopped puting the chitenge to her head. Anyway my point is that you can’t paint brush all Moslems!
Prayer for our brothers and sisters in Kenya
@Martin Ngoma,
I agree with you totally that it is wrong to stigmatize or paint people with the same brush but surely it is common knowledge that muslims have declared war on people who belong to other religions particularly Christians and the terror they caused around the world is unimaginable. Now they are even advocating for their barbaric ‘sharia law’ to rule the whole world. Can you imagine what would happen to Christians? Here in London the same people have stickers on their cars with the words ‘Love For All and Hatred For None’.
It is a sad day here in Kenya. People are at the wits end literally. That you could choose to take innocent lives, young children at that is tragic. I wonder how the god that they worship can allow this. The siege continues
Stay safe and we’re praying for all of you.Then Kenyan authorities have our full support to smash these axis of evil.
Very sad indeed. There is nothing religious but everything evil about such senseless killing in broad daylight. Christ said the enemy comes only to steal, kill and destroy but He came that we may have life, and have it to the fullness. Let us remember to pray for our Kenyan brothers and sisters on this tragic momment.
Islam is indeed a religion of piece.They will always shoot you into bits and blow you into pieces.
That’s really sad,we will remember you in prayer.
Condolences to the bereaved and speedy recovery to those injured.On this dark day we stand firmly on the side of the kenyan people.May Kenya smite the evil men of these terror networks.
Thank you the casualties and fatalities are climbing but we put our trust in the Lord
This is a PR move by al shabab hoping to put pressure on Muslims in kenya and other christian countries by suggesting all Muslims are united behind them by sparing Muslim blood. They’re killing Somalis (who are Muslims BTW) in Mogadishu every time they get a chance.
So stop insulting the Islamic religion by thinking al shabab represents Islam. They don’t, they’re just another terrorists group, and it seems they can recruit from that group for now.
we will remember all the sad families in our prayers….
It’s so sad and painful to loose dear ones just like that. May the souls of the innocently killed RIP. Condolence to the grieved families.
All neighbouring countries especially those targeted, should join hands with kenya to get rid of this enemy called al Shabab.
This is really sad day for all Kenyans of every tribe and of every religion including the Somalis of Kenya. Please note that these terrorists do not represent Somalis or Islam. There are similar attacks nearly every week Mogadishu and other places in Somalia. We need to fight this terrorist organization together, not point fingers at Muslims. At this point we do not even know if the perpetrators of this attack are even Muslims. Please also note that the terrorist behind the recent shooting at the Navy yard in Washington was not a Muslim, which shows there terrorists and people with bad intentions everywhere.
Eish,looks like kenya has a good share of resident obronis , oops.
I wonder what would happen to our Muslim friends especially somalis in Zambia if this was at manda hill. I salute kenyans for their maturity and calmness thus far, al shabab just like other terrorists are criminals that kill innocent people in the name of a peaceful Islam religion. It’s tough enough being a Somali and this. …..
Sad day for Kenya, these thugs should be eating their last looted meals.
This appears more like the Christian terrorist Breivek, of Norway, who was instigated from London. The Norman history of England is unknown to most people. The Normans took over Scotland and the whole world. Their first target was the French Normandy, the name to search is Rollow and William the Bust…ard who killed the king of England. Some say that it was a revenge for destroying the Druid and Irminsul religion in Europe and their sacred Oak trees. People really should research the ancient history and ethnography of Europe and see what lessons they can learn from them.
Now, everyone knows that 9-11 was a falseflag by israel or USA. Imagine the QUANTUM of EVIL that was needed to do that operation? The Evil one is still hiding in Tel Aviv or USA or UK or Europe.
Um, no.
“Everyone” does not “know” that 9/11 was a “false flag” operation by Israel or the U.S.A.
You and the rest of the conspiracy wingnuts need to get out from behind your computer and go experience some of the real world… Y’know, that whole “reality” thing. It’s what normal people do.
Try it sometime.
BBC has reported 39 people killed and more 150 injured while business insider has reported 30 killed. CNN has 39 killed 293 people got treated. And, I mean and LT has 22 killed with a dozes injured:-). Luck of proper information. Ma Zambian medial?
Lusaka times hasn’t updated. the number keeps growing
I am sure its P.Assad & Egyptian Gen.Sisi groups carried out this attacks. today I read that Bashar & Sisi have formed a united front to kill civilians in Ethiobia,Kennya & other Affrican countries because of the water shortages in the River Nile, as a concequence of the new Dam that being built in Ethio, nonetheless,those Somali gunmen were hired as cover up.Regardless of the Shabab anouncement, P.Assad & Gen Sisi are behind the attacks.As proofs..read about the Egyptian army attacks on Civilian homes,Egyptian security forces has burned 300 houese In Egypt..Assad has killed 1500 people using chimical gases,and now I lost my family…my father was killed, mother,5 aunties,3 uncles, older sister and her husband. I have no whatsoever idea why media is hiding the truth.
Zolic, you are fake. Do you know the hatred amongst Shias (Syrian ruler) and sunnis (Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahranin, Yemen).Your fake story will not go very far.
chiwamilla galu kuluma mbuzi!
Quote from al-sahab:
“The Christian government of Kenya invaded our country in October 2011 killing many innocent civilians with their military jets,” al- Shabab spokesman Sheik Ali Mohamud Rage said.
“We have warned Kenya of that attack, but it ignored (us), still forcefully holding our lands … while killing our innocent civilians,” Rage said.
“This led the Mujahideen to wage revenge attacks on Kenya. Today, a unit of al-Shabab al-Mujahideen attacked an important center for Kenya, taking control of it,” he added.
“If you want Kenya in peace, it will not happen as long as your boys are in our lands,” Rage said in the statement.
Kenya has more than 4,000 army soldiers in southern Somalia, where they have been battling the al-Shabab fighters…
Humanity can’t go on like this what ever the reason,something has to be done urgently.
people getting out of the should checked b,se even those ones will escape unknowingly please take note.
If something like this happened in Zed awe Shuwa, with our useless police and soldiers. Remember the Mandahill robbery incident?
Condolences to Kenya. When I saw this I was saddened deeply at the loss of innocent lives. I also thought that Zambia which has been peaceful all her life should thank God for it. I advise GRZ to be prepared for such disasters even tho’ we don’t wish for any. I see how Americans are well-equipped in such calamities involving hostage holdings. Our security personnel must have protective gear such as vests and malls must be equipped with circuit systems to monitor these losers while personnel must communicate with one another through intercoms from the command center. The world is becoming evil and Islam is an evil religion. Surprise was the element these killers took and lets never be taken by surprise.
@Chipembele, a cowardly attack is one which is aimed at the innocent unarmed lives in a place like a mall. A non-cowardly attack is resolved with those who represent the ones you have beef with at the battle front – fellow soldiers. Since you are a coward you know that even at the battle front you will lose, you go to kill civilians — fools.
God will punish all the moslims for what they are doing to the humanity.
may God protect kenyans.
Cowards erroneously believe by killing innocent people they will go to heaven and by dying for their foolish religion. Well, Satan will welcome them in hell.
Shortcake don’t underestimate our Zambian security forces. They look stupid to you but I know them and their capabilities and I have high regard for them. Stop the folly please.