Nairobi Terror Attack: Westgate Shopping Mall 21.09.2013

KiN Newsroom 
At least 39 people have lost their lives and over 150 injured after terrorists attacked a Nairobi shopping mall. Westage Mall in Nairobi's Westlands area was reportedly attacked by over ten heavily armed gunmen earlier this Saturday. The attack started at the second floor of the fashionable shopping complex where East FM was holding an open children's event at around midday Saturday.

The assailants reportedly wearing masks and wielding sophisticated weapons started shooting indiscrimately and are said to have done this while ordering people to lie down on the ground. The attackers are said to have held several people hostage both in the second floor and the basement of the mall. Police acted switfly and have reportedly managed to release at least 20 hostages from the first floor. Several casualties have been admitted at the Aga Khan, Avenue, Nairobi and MP Shah Hospitals.

Members of the public are urged to keep off the area while the rescue operation is going on. Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo and Cabinet Secretary for Interior Joseph Ole Lenku are at the site of this fatal attack. Reports have it that at least one of the assailants was apprehended alive by the police but later succumbed to injuries bringing to four the number of dead terrorists.

The motive of the attack is not clear but Al Shabaab, the militia terror group claimed responsibility through a tweet. The claims are yet to be confirmed and security officials warn against false reporting.