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Nairobi Westgate shoot-out kills 11 in Kenya Nairobi Westgate shoot-out kills 11 in Kenya
(34 minutes later)
Eleven people have died in a gun battle inside a Nairobi shopping centre, says Kenya's internal security minister.Eleven people have died in a gun battle inside a Nairobi shopping centre, says Kenya's internal security minister.
Mutea Iringo said the government was "now fully in charge" of a "very serious situation" and would not relent in the "war against armed criminals". Mutea Iringo said the government was "now fully in charge" of a "very serious situation". Police are going shop to shop to secure the area.
Eyewitnesses said armed men in black, their heads covered in scarves, entered the Westgate shopping centre on Saturday afternoon. Eyewitnesses saw armed men in black, their heads covered in scarves, entering the Westgate shopping centre on Saturday afternoon.
The Somali militant group al-Shabab had threatened to strike the centre.The Somali militant group al-Shabab had threatened to strike the centre.
Al-Shabab has carried out a string of attacks in Kenya since 2011, when Kenyan troops moved into southern Somalia to fight the militants there.Al-Shabab has carried out a string of attacks in Kenya since 2011, when Kenyan troops moved into southern Somalia to fight the militants there.
No group has said it carried out Saturday's attack. No group has said it carried out the attack. Some eyewitnesses told AFP news agency they had heard the gunmen speaking Arabic or Somali.
Attack Other witnesses said Muslims were told to leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted.
"They came and said: 'If you are Muslim, stand up. We've come to rescue you," said Elijah Lamau.
He said the Muslims left with their hands up, and then the gunmen shot two people.
The Kenyan Red Cross has put the death toll at more than 20.
Trapped
The attackers entered the Westgate centre at about 12:00 local time (09:00 GMT), throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons.The attackers entered the Westgate centre at about 12:00 local time (09:00 GMT), throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons.
Dozens of shoppers fled, many were trapped inside. Some reports spoke of hostages but this is unconfirmed.Dozens of shoppers fled, many were trapped inside. Some reports spoke of hostages but this is unconfirmed.
The Kenyan Red Cross earlier said at least 20 people had died.
Eyewitnesses told the AFP news agency the gunmen were speaking Arabic or Somali.
Other witnesses told news agencies the Muslims were told to leave and that non-Muslims would be targeted.
"They were wearing bullet proof vests and they had weapons, and they came and said: 'If you are Muslim, stand up. We've come to rescue you," said Elijah Lamau, who was in the shopping centre.
He said the Muslims left with their hands up, and then the gunmen shot two people.
Arjen Westra, who was drinking coffee at the time of the attack, told the BBC he thought the cafe he was in was being targeted by the gunmen.Arjen Westra, who was drinking coffee at the time of the attack, told the BBC he thought the cafe he was in was being targeted by the gunmen.
"I could hear the gunfire moving towards the main entrance of the shopping mall, so some people ran out of our cafe in a kind of panic, and quite a number just fell down as flat as possible on the ground.""I could hear the gunfire moving towards the main entrance of the shopping mall, so some people ran out of our cafe in a kind of panic, and quite a number just fell down as flat as possible on the ground."
A senior police officer originally said it was an attempted robbery but later called it a possible terrorist attack. Mr Iringo said special forces were now "evacuating civilians and searching for the criminals".
Mr Iringo said special forces were now at the shopping centre, "evacuating civilians and searching for the criminals".
Nairobi police chief Benson Kibue initially said the gunmen had been trying to rob a shop, but later called it "a terrorist attack".Nairobi police chief Benson Kibue initially said the gunmen had been trying to rob a shop, but later called it "a terrorist attack".
TargetedTargeted
The BBC's Anne Soy, who is at the scene, said there were reports one of the gunmen has been shot dead.The BBC's Anne Soy, who is at the scene, said there were reports one of the gunmen has been shot dead.
Some of the attackers were reportedly dressed in hijabs, and it is unclear whether they were men or women, our correspondent says.Some of the attackers were reportedly dressed in hijabs, and it is unclear whether they were men or women, our correspondent says.
One man who escaped had been hiding in a supermarket but told our correspondent his friends were still trapped inside the building.
The Kenyan authorities have asked media outlets to stop broadcasting from the scene, as the information may be aiding the attackers.
Security guards used shopping trolleys to wheel out several wounded children and at least one man.Security guards used shopping trolleys to wheel out several wounded children and at least one man.
"The gunmen tried to fire at my head but missed. There are definitely many casualties," Sudjar Singh, who works at the shopping centre, told AFP."The gunmen tried to fire at my head but missed. There are definitely many casualties," Sudjar Singh, who works at the shopping centre, told AFP.
"I saw three of the attackers dressed in black and with covered faces and they were carrying heavy rifles," said another witness."I saw three of the attackers dressed in black and with covered faces and they were carrying heavy rifles," said another witness.
One Nairobi resident, Anupa, who lives near the scene, told the BBC: "I heard the exchange of fire when it happened, and I heard what I thought was a grenade, but I didn't go outside. The whole area is cordoned off."One Nairobi resident, Anupa, who lives near the scene, told the BBC: "I heard the exchange of fire when it happened, and I heard what I thought was a grenade, but I didn't go outside. The whole area is cordoned off."
The Westgate centre is often frequented by wealthy Kenyans and expatriates. Police have urged residents to stay away from the area.The Westgate centre is often frequented by wealthy Kenyans and expatriates. Police have urged residents to stay away from the area.