At least 30 people have reportedly been killed and 60 wounded in a suspected terrorist attack on a shopping mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
According to witnesses, the attack began at the outdoor seating area of Artcaffe at the front of the shopping centre when gunmen opened fire and detonated grenades inside the Westgate centre, a mall popular with expatriates.
Some people were shot at the entrance to the mall after volleys of gunfire moved outside and a standoff with police began.Hundreds of shoppers were caught up in the attack
Read more after the cut...more pictures...
Mothers caught up in the attack were pictured running to safety clutching small children.
Police chief Benson Kibue described the incident as a terrorist attack and that up to 10 men exchanged gunfire with police.
The Somalia based Shabaab terror group, who are linked to al Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the AFP news agency.
Shopping trolleys were used to carry the injured away from the scenePolice sources said one gunman that had been wounded and detained has died from bullet wounds.
Al Shabaab militants have reportedly said there will be "no negotiaions" over the siege.
One witness said the gunmen "executed" shoppers and at least one child is reported to be among the dead.
Security staff rescued those unable to walk
Earlier, Abbas Guled, a spokesman for the Kenyan Red Cross, said: "The casualties are many and that's only what we have on the outside. Inside there are even more casualties and shooting is still going on."
According to Nairobi-based journalist Abdi Osman Adan, staff at a supermarket and a jewellery store were among a number of people taken hostage by the attackers.
He told Sky News witnesses reported seeing the attackers "firing at any police officers who tried to approach the building".
Earlier, Abbas Guled, a spokesman for the Kenyan Red Cross, said: "The casualties are many and that's only what we have on the outside. Inside there are even more casualties and shooting is still going on."
According to Nairobi-based journalist Abdi Osman Adan, staff at a supermarket and a jewellery store were among a number of people taken hostage by the attackers.
He told Sky News witnesses reported seeing the attackers "firing at any police officers who tried to approach the building".
Shoppers caught up in the drama fled the area as the attack unfolded
Security forces are still trying to rescue those trapped inside the centre hours after the start of the siege, going from shop to shop to evacuate shoppers and staff.
Graphic photographs taken at the scene showed people with serious injuries being treated at a makeshift hospital inside a food court.
Other images showed injured people being carried out of the mall in shopping trolleys, as well as upturned tables and chairs from where people had fled the shooting.
Security forces are still trying to rescue those trapped inside the centre hours after the start of the siege, going from shop to shop to evacuate shoppers and staff.
Graphic photographs taken at the scene showed people with serious injuries being treated at a makeshift hospital inside a food court.
Other images showed injured people being carried out of the mall in shopping trolleys, as well as upturned tables and chairs from where people had fled the shooting.
The Westgate shopping centre is located in the centre of Nairobi
Elijah Kamua, who witnessed the attack, said the gunmen asked Muslims to stand up and leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted.
Satpal Singh, who was in a cafe when the attackers struck, said he ran downstairs before he was shot near the exit.
"A Somali guy shot at me," he said. "He was carrying a rifle, an AK-47."
Elijah Kamua, who witnessed the attack, said the gunmen asked Muslims to stand up and leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted.
Satpal Singh, who was in a cafe when the attackers struck, said he ran downstairs before he was shot near the exit.
"A Somali guy shot at me," he said. "He was carrying a rifle, an AK-47."
Armed security officers searched the centre for the gunmen
A witness, who gave only his first name, Jay, said: "They were not speaking Swahili. They spoke something that seemed like Arabic or Somali."
In a message posted on Twitter, Kenya Police urged the public "to remain calm" and not to speculate about the attack.
"We urge you to stay away (from the centre)," they added.
A witness, who gave only his first name, Jay, said: "They were not speaking Swahili. They spoke something that seemed like Arabic or Somali."
In a message posted on Twitter, Kenya Police urged the public "to remain calm" and not to speculate about the attack.
"We urge you to stay away (from the centre)," they added.
Police officers provided armed cover for shoppers as they ran safety
The US State Department has reported that American citizens are among those injured in the attack.
Westgate is situated in western Nairobi and is popular with foreigners and rich Kenyans.
The US State Department has reported that American citizens are among those injured in the attack.
Westgate is situated in western Nairobi and is popular with foreigners and rich Kenyans.
David Cameron has spoken to Kenya's President Kenyatta about the attack
According to the centre's website, it is the city's "premier shopping mall" and offers a "serene and safe environment away from the city centre hubbub".
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, late this afternoon about the attack at Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi."
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Twitter that he was "in close touch with Kenyan authorities about the attack in Nairobi, our urgent priority is the welfare of UK nationals."
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are looking into whether any British nationals have been caught up in the incident and are ready to provide consular assistance.
"We are advising British nationals to avoid the area."
According to the centre's website, it is the city's "premier shopping mall" and offers a "serene and safe environment away from the city centre hubbub".
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, late this afternoon about the attack at Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi."
British Foreign Secretary William Hague said on Twitter that he was "in close touch with Kenyan authorities about the attack in Nairobi, our urgent priority is the welfare of UK nationals."
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We are looking into whether any British nationals have been caught up in the incident and are ready to provide consular assistance.
"We are advising British nationals to avoid the area."
source http://news.sky.com
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