At least 15 people have been killed after terrorists masterminded a “co-ordinated” terror attack on a luxury hotel and office complex in Kenya.
Gunmen set off thunderous explosives and shot people at cafe tables and desks – with the Islamic militant group al Shabaab claiming it was behind the attack.
Eleven of the other victims are believed to be Kenyan while the nationalities of two others were not clear.
Somali Islamist militant group al Shabaab has said it is behind the attack
Late on Tuesday evening, Kenya’s interior minister said all buildings at the scene had been secured – with scores of people evacuated after the siege.
However, the official did not comment on the attackers’ whereabouts, and said security forces were still “mopping up”.
People are evacuated from the complex by a member of security forces
An hour later, bursts of gunfire were still being heard at the DusitD2 complex in Nairobi – suggesting the situation was not under control some eight hours after the assault initially began.
The venue includes bars, restaurants, offices and banks and is a popular destination with US, European and Indian expats.
Reports of the numbers of people dead and wounded have varied – and authorities have not said how many attackers were involved.
Surveillance footage appeared to show at least four gunmen were involved.
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Security forces have hurried out a large group of people from a luxury complex in Kenya, where extremists have launched a deadly terror attack.
Another piece of footage from inside the hotel showed Kenyan security officers searching the building and scared workers emerging from hiding as gunfire rang out.
Dozens of people were rushed to safety as armed officers went from shop to shop in the complex. Some people held up their hands to show they were unarmed.
Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet said the “co-ordinated” attack began with a car bombing targeting three vehicles in the I&M Bank car park, and a suicide bombing in a hotel foyer where a number of guests suffered “severe injuries”.
Police were said to be exchanging gunfire with the attackers
People ran out of the complex and climbed out of windows to escape, while other office workers said they had to leave colleagues behind, hiding under their desks, as the attack began.
Hotel cleaner Enoch Kibet, who escaped by crawling out of a gate in the basement, said: “People were screaming. I couldn’t believe I was alive. The blast was so loud and shook the whole complex.”
An armed officer secures a building attached to the complex where the attack took place
It is the second time in six years that al Shabaab has launched a major attack on Nairobi.
In 2013, a deadly assault on a shopping centre in the same neighbourhood left 67 dead and 150 injured.
Al Shabaab says its attacks are revenge for Kenyan troops stationed inside Somalia, which has been riven by civil war since 1991.
