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Nairobi DusitD2 hotel attacked by suspected militants | Nairobi DusitD2 hotel attacked by suspected militants |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Suspected militants have attacked a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi, killing at least 15 people. | |
The compound in the Westlands district of the Kenyan capital, which houses the DusitD2 hotel as well as offices, was attacked by gunmen on Tuesday. | |
By the evening officials said the siege was over but gunfire and explosions were still heard early on Wednesday and a security operation is ongoing. | |
The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab said it was behind the attack. | The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab said it was behind the attack. |
Police sources say 15 people have been killed, but an official number has not yet been confirmed by the government. | |
A US citizen is among the dead, according to the US State Department. | A US citizen is among the dead, according to the US State Department. |
The fate of the attackers is also unclear. | |
How did the attack unfold? | How did the attack unfold? |
The attack began at about 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT) when four gunmen threw bombs at vehicles in the car park before entering the lobby, where one blew himself up, police say. | |
A woman working in a neighbouring building told Reuters news agency: "I just started hearing gunshots, and then started seeing people running away raising their hands up and some were entering the bank to hide for their lives." | A woman working in a neighbouring building told Reuters news agency: "I just started hearing gunshots, and then started seeing people running away raising their hands up and some were entering the bank to hide for their lives." |
At 20:00 GMT, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said all the buildings in the complex had been secured by security forces. | At 20:00 GMT, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said all the buildings in the complex had been secured by security forces. |
"The situation is under control and the country is safe," he told reporters. "Terrorism will never defeat us." | "The situation is under control and the country is safe," he told reporters. "Terrorism will never defeat us." |
But just an hour later gunfire and sporadic explosions were reported in the area. | |
Security forces then combed their way through the building with reports saying frightened workers had barricaded themselves inside. | |
In the early hours of Wednesday, more than 100 people were rescued from the complex and taken to a nearby trauma centre. | |
About 30 people are being treated at Nairobi hospitals, media reports say, while the security operation is ongoing. | |
The five-star DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms. Located in the Westlands suburb, minutes from the capital's business district, it has its own spa and several restaurants. | The five-star DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms. Located in the Westlands suburb, minutes from the capital's business district, it has its own spa and several restaurants. |
Kenya has seen a number of terror attacks in recent years - most notably in areas close to the Somali border and in the country's capital. | Kenya has seen a number of terror attacks in recent years - most notably in areas close to the Somali border and in the country's capital. |
Striking close to home | Striking close to home |
By Joe Inwood, BBC News, Nairobi | By Joe Inwood, BBC News, Nairobi |
Every person escaping the Dusit complex has the same story - heavily armed men firing indiscriminately, using bombs and automatic rifles to kill. Most were too shaken to talk. They were all relieved to have escaped. | Every person escaping the Dusit complex has the same story - heavily armed men firing indiscriminately, using bombs and automatic rifles to kill. Most were too shaken to talk. They were all relieved to have escaped. |
They were coming out in small groups, many hours after the first explosions. The blasts could be heard across the city. I was in my flat round the corner when they happened, followed by the unmistakable sound of gunfire. | They were coming out in small groups, many hours after the first explosions. The blasts could be heard across the city. I was in my flat round the corner when they happened, followed by the unmistakable sound of gunfire. |
The pictures that have been coming from inside are truly horrific. Ordinary people going about their business, murdered as they had lunch or did their jobs. | The pictures that have been coming from inside are truly horrific. Ordinary people going about their business, murdered as they had lunch or did their jobs. |
This has a personal feel, too. The restaurant that seems to have taken the brunt of the explosions is a place I know well. It was full of lovely staff who would always greet you with a smile. As I sit watching the survivors escape, I wonder how many of them didn't make it. | This has a personal feel, too. The restaurant that seems to have taken the brunt of the explosions is a place I know well. It was full of lovely staff who would always greet you with a smile. As I sit watching the survivors escape, I wonder how many of them didn't make it. |
Who are al-Shabab? | Who are al-Shabab? |
They are a militant Islamist group that opposes the Somali government but has also carried out attacks throughout East Africa. | They are a militant Islamist group that opposes the Somali government but has also carried out attacks throughout East Africa. |
Kenya is part of a regional peacekeeping operation that supports the Somali government in its battle against al-Shabab. | Kenya is part of a regional peacekeeping operation that supports the Somali government in its battle against al-Shabab. |
In September 2013, al-Shabab gunmen entered the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi and targeted shoppers. | In September 2013, al-Shabab gunmen entered the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi and targeted shoppers. |
During an 80-hour siege at the upscale centre, 67 people were killed. | During an 80-hour siege at the upscale centre, 67 people were killed. |
Two years later, the group carried out its deadliest ever assault in Kenya, shooting dead almost 150 people at Garissa University. | Two years later, the group carried out its deadliest ever assault in Kenya, shooting dead almost 150 people at Garissa University. |
Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Are you in the area? If it is safe to do so please email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below: | Or use the form below: |