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Nairobi attack: Kenya mourns Westgate siege victims | Nairobi attack: Kenya mourns Westgate siege victims |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Kenya has begun three days of national mourning following the end of the four-day siege by Islamist militants on Nairobi's Westgate shopping centre. | Kenya has begun three days of national mourning following the end of the four-day siege by Islamist militants on Nairobi's Westgate shopping centre. |
In a televised address, President Uhuru Kenyatta said six members of the security forces were among 67 people who had died. | In a televised address, President Uhuru Kenyatta said six members of the security forces were among 67 people who had died. |
Declaring the siege over, he said five militants had been killed and 11 other suspects arrested. | Declaring the siege over, he said five militants had been killed and 11 other suspects arrested. |
As the clearing of the mall continues, the number of dead is expected to rise. | As the clearing of the mall continues, the number of dead is expected to rise. |
Several bodies, including those of some attackers, are thought to be trapped under rubble after three floors of the building collapsed following a blaze. | Several bodies, including those of some attackers, are thought to be trapped under rubble after three floors of the building collapsed following a blaze. |
Kenya's Standard newspaper reported that tens of bodies were removed from the building on Tuesday evening. | Kenya's Standard newspaper reported that tens of bodies were removed from the building on Tuesday evening. |
Correspondents say the shopping centre lay largely silent overnight and light smoke was still drifting from the building. | Correspondents say the shopping centre lay largely silent overnight and light smoke was still drifting from the building. |
'Stared down evil' | 'Stared down evil' |
Journalists and onlookers were kept behind a security cordon but police let some people retrieve cars from the scene. | Journalists and onlookers were kept behind a security cordon but police let some people retrieve cars from the scene. |
In his address, the president praised the response of ordinary Kenyans, calling it exemplary and overwhelming. | In his address, the president praised the response of ordinary Kenyans, calling it exemplary and overwhelming. |
"We have ashamed and defeated our attackers," he said. "Kenya has stared down evil and triumphed." | "We have ashamed and defeated our attackers," he said. "Kenya has stared down evil and triumphed." |
He did not confirm earlier reports that several of the attackers were American and British. | |
"Intelligence reports had suggested that a British woman and two or three American citizens may have been involved in the attack," said Mr Kenyatta. | "Intelligence reports had suggested that a British woman and two or three American citizens may have been involved in the attack," said Mr Kenyatta. |
"We cannot confirm the details at present. Forensic experts are working to ascertain the nationalities of the terrorists." | "We cannot confirm the details at present. Forensic experts are working to ascertain the nationalities of the terrorists." |
He added: "These cowards will meet justice, as will their accomplices and patrons, wherever they are." | He added: "These cowards will meet justice, as will their accomplices and patrons, wherever they are." |
At least 18 foreigners are among the dead. They include six Britons as well as citizens from France, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Peru, India, Ghana, South Africa and China. | At least 18 foreigners are among the dead. They include six Britons as well as citizens from France, Canada, the Netherlands, Australia, Peru, India, Ghana, South Africa and China. |
About 175 people were wounded including 62 who remain in hospital. | About 175 people were wounded including 62 who remain in hospital. |
Somali Islamist group al-Shabab said it had carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan army operations in Somalia. | Somali Islamist group al-Shabab said it had carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan army operations in Somalia. |
The militants stormed the Westgate centre on Saturday, throwing grenades and firing indiscriminately on shoppers and staff. | The militants stormed the Westgate centre on Saturday, throwing grenades and firing indiscriminately on shoppers and staff. |
"Now it is for the forensic and criminal experts," said police spokesman Masoud Mwinyi. | "Now it is for the forensic and criminal experts," said police spokesman Masoud Mwinyi. |
A Twitter post from al-Shabab on Tuesday dismissed claims that women were involved in the attack. | A Twitter post from al-Shabab on Tuesday dismissed claims that women were involved in the attack. |
The group said: "We have an adequate number of young men who are fully committed and we do not employ our sisters in such military operations." | The group said: "We have an adequate number of young men who are fully committed and we do not employ our sisters in such military operations." |
Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has repeatedly threatened attacks on Kenyan soil if Nairobi did not pull its troops out of Somalia. | Al-Shabab, which is linked to al-Qaeda, has repeatedly threatened attacks on Kenyan soil if Nairobi did not pull its troops out of Somalia. |
There are about 4,000 Kenyan troops in the south of Somalia as part of an African Union force supporting Somali government forces. | There are about 4,000 Kenyan troops in the south of Somalia as part of an African Union force supporting Somali government forces. |
Al-Shabab is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia. | Al-Shabab is fighting to create an Islamic state in Somalia. |
Despite being pushed out of key cities in the past two years, it remains in control of smaller towns and large swathes of the countryside. | Despite being pushed out of key cities in the past two years, it remains in control of smaller towns and large swathes of the countryside. |
UN special representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay called on Tuesday for a fresh surge in African troops to Somalia to counter an estimated 5,000 al-Shabab fighters. | UN special representative for Somalia Nicholas Kay called on Tuesday for a fresh surge in African troops to Somalia to counter an estimated 5,000 al-Shabab fighters. |