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Nairobi siege: How the attack happened Nairobi siege: How the attack happened
(2 days later)
Saturday 21 SeptemberSaturday 21 September
The attack on the Westgate Shopping Centre in Nairobi unfolded at around noon local time (0900 GMT). The attack on the Westgate Shopping Centre in Nairobi unfolded at around noon local time (0900 GMT), as the building was packed with shoppers and people having lunch.
The building was packed with shoppers and people having lunch. The multi-storey, upmarket mall, owned by an Israeli businessman, has restaurants, cafes, banks, a large supermarket and a cinema.
The multi-storey, upmarket mall is owned by an Israeli businessman, has restaurants, cafes, banks, a large supermarket and a cinema. The centre has six levels - a basement, three levels devoted to shopping, eating and leisure, and two more containing offices and a dental practice.
The centre has six levels - with three devoted to shopping, eating and leisure, a third and fourth containing offices and a dental practice, with a basement underneath.
The BBC has established from senior security sources that in the weeks leading up the siege, the Islamists hired a shop in the mall.The BBC has established from senior security sources that in the weeks leading up the siege, the Islamists hired a shop in the mall.
This gave them access to service lifts, enabling them to stockpile weapons and ammunition.This gave them access to service lifts, enabling them to stockpile weapons and ammunition.
When the attack began, the gunmen are thought to have entered the building from three points.When the attack began, the gunmen are thought to have entered the building from three points.
According to witnesses sitting outside ArtCaffe on the ground floor, one group armed with assault weapons drove up to the main entrance.According to witnesses sitting outside ArtCaffe on the ground floor, one group armed with assault weapons drove up to the main entrance.
The attackers, dressed in black and wearing turbans, began firing and throwing grenades, causing panic as shoppers fled in any direction away from the gunfire.The attackers, dressed in black and wearing turbans, began firing and throwing grenades, causing panic as shoppers fled in any direction away from the gunfire.
Simultaneously, a second group made its way into the second floor of the building via a rooftop car park.Simultaneously, a second group made its way into the second floor of the building via a rooftop car park.
A children's cooking competition was taking place in the car park and a number of children and adults are believed to have been killed here, including the host, popular radio DJ Ruhila Adatia-Sood.A children's cooking competition was taking place in the car park and a number of children and adults are believed to have been killed here, including the host, popular radio DJ Ruhila Adatia-Sood.
A third group of attackers is thought to have entered the building down a ramp to a basement area.A third group of attackers is thought to have entered the building down a ramp to a basement area.
The exact number of attackers was initially estimated from 6-16. The number of attackers was initially estimated to be between six and 16.
Some witnesses say they were masked, and there are unconfirmed reports of the presence of Americans and a British woman among their number. Some witnesses say they were masked, and there were unconfirmed reports that Americans and a British woman were among their number - but these have not been substantiated.
From the ground floor, witnesses reported that the first group made its way upwards through the mall shooting and throwing grenades.From the ground floor, witnesses reported that the first group made its way upwards through the mall shooting and throwing grenades.
According to some reports, the attackers made attempts to separate Muslims and non-Muslims, with Muslims allowed to leave the mall unharmed.According to some reports, the attackers made attempts to separate Muslims and non-Muslims, with Muslims allowed to leave the mall unharmed.
The BBC has established that the attackers set up a base using a ventilation shaft on the first floor.The BBC has established that the attackers set up a base using a ventilation shaft on the first floor.
A number of people are thought to have been taken hostage and held in a cinema and a casino on the second floor, while other unconfirmed reports suggest a number of people were held hostage in the basement area.A number of people are thought to have been taken hostage and held in a cinema and a casino on the second floor, while other unconfirmed reports suggest a number of people were held hostage in the basement area.
Police and security forces' response was initially slow, with some reports that the first officers on scene did not arrive until around 1230.Police and security forces' response was initially slow, with some reports that the first officers on scene did not arrive until around 1230.
Security forces efforts initially focused on rescuing scores of people trapped inside, as gunfire and explosions continued to echo around the mall.Security forces efforts initially focused on rescuing scores of people trapped inside, as gunfire and explosions continued to echo around the mall.
Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku later said he "could not rule out the possibility that when we were evacuating people in the first stages of the operation, it is possible some (of the attackers) could have slipped out".
Insider helpInsider help
At around 15:00, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops were deployed, entering the mall to confront the militants.At around 15:00, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) troops were deployed, entering the mall to confront the militants.
Gun battles raged throughout Saturday afternoon, with one group of attackers apparently barricading themselves in the two-level Nakumatt supermarket.Gun battles raged throughout Saturday afternoon, with one group of attackers apparently barricading themselves in the two-level Nakumatt supermarket.
Having pre-positioned weapons in the preceding days, the attackers were able to re-arm quickly and repel Kenyan security forcesHaving pre-positioned weapons in the preceding days, the attackers were able to re-arm quickly and repel Kenyan security forces
Late on Saturday, there was a change of tack by the militants, according to security sources. They rolled out heavy calibre machine guns, exploiting the moment control of the rescue efforts switched from the police to the military.Late on Saturday, there was a change of tack by the militants, according to security sources. They rolled out heavy calibre machine guns, exploiting the moment control of the rescue efforts switched from the police to the military.
Some security sources have suggested there was a breakdown in control when the military took over and soldiers launched an "uncontrolled shooting spree".
"When they entered and started firing - people were screaming and running here and there," said one police officer. "I was also hiding because I didn't know… they entered the building they started shooting, looking for the attackers but they didn't know we had civilian uniform."
By the end of Saturday, the death toll stood at 39 with more than more than 1,000 people evacuated.By the end of Saturday, the death toll stood at 39 with more than more than 1,000 people evacuated.
The security operation continued into the night with sporadic gunfire and explosions.The security operation continued into the night with sporadic gunfire and explosions.
Sunday 22 SeptemberSunday 22 September
Gunfire and explosions continued to echo around the mall on Sunday morning.Gunfire and explosions continued to echo around the mall on Sunday morning.
By midday - 24 hours after the attack began - the death toll stood at 59, with about 1,000 people rescued.By midday - 24 hours after the attack began - the death toll stood at 59, with about 1,000 people rescued.
Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku said that between 10 and 15 attackers remained barricaded inside the mall, but that security forces had control of the CCTV room. Interior Minister Lenku said that between 10 and 15 attackers remained barricaded inside the mall, but that security forces had control of the CCTV room.
There are reports via the Israeli military intelligence analysis website Debkafile that Israeli security men were assisting the Kenyan military in the operation against the attackers.There are reports via the Israeli military intelligence analysis website Debkafile that Israeli security men were assisting the Kenyan military in the operation against the attackers.
At 1845 two helicopters were seen landing on the roof in an apparent effort to retake the mall. Shortly afterwards a large explosion was heard from inside. At 1845, two helicopters were seen landing on the roof in an apparent effort to retake the mall. Shortly afterwards a large explosion was heard from inside.
Monday 23 SeptemberMonday 23 September
On Monday morning, a series of loud explosions and heavy gunfire was heard and thick black smoke began billowing from the complex as security forces launched another assault.On Monday morning, a series of loud explosions and heavy gunfire was heard and thick black smoke began billowing from the complex as security forces launched another assault.
Mr Lenku told journalists that almost all the hostages had now been evacuated - indicating that some remain unaccounted for - two of the militants had been killed and several had been injured.Mr Lenku told journalists that almost all the hostages had now been evacuated - indicating that some remain unaccounted for - two of the militants had been killed and several had been injured.
He said 62 people had died but the security forces were now in control of every floor of the shopping centre.He said 62 people had died but the security forces were now in control of every floor of the shopping centre.
As night fell, a fire was seen burning at the shopping centre and security forces continued the operation to clear the building of militants.As night fell, a fire was seen burning at the shopping centre and security forces continued the operation to clear the building of militants.
AftermathAftermath
Early on Tuesday, a senior police source declared the operation to clear the building was "over", however journalists outside reported that sporadic gunfire was continuing.Early on Tuesday, a senior police source declared the operation to clear the building was "over", however journalists outside reported that sporadic gunfire was continuing.
The fire in the mall - which Kenyan officials said was started by the attackers burning mattresses - caused part of the building's roof to collapse.The fire in the mall - which Kenyan officials said was started by the attackers burning mattresses - caused part of the building's roof to collapse.
Video footage showed that part of the car park on the second floor roof had completely collapsed, with a pile of rubble and smouldering vehicles visible below.Video footage showed that part of the car park on the second floor roof had completely collapsed, with a pile of rubble and smouldering vehicles visible below.
The confirmed death toll is 61 civilians, six security officers and five militants. There have been allegations of mass looting by uniformed officers after the attack, as shop owners returning to the Mall reported missing money, camera equipment and other goods.
Investigators are working to establish the identity of the dead attackers, and whether one of them was female. The confirmed death toll is 61 civilians, six security officers and five militants. Thirty nine people are still reported to be missing. It is thought that the death toll could rise, with bodies possibly concealed under the rubble.
It is thought that the death toll could rise, with bodies possibly concealed under the rubble. Investigators are working to establish the identity of the dead attackers, and whether one of them was female. Kenyan MPs are also investigating alleged intelligence failings.
Kenya's Standard Newspaper reported that dozens of bodies were removed on Tuesday evening, while Kenya's Red Cross has said that 61 people remain unaccounted for.
However Interior Minister Joe Lenku has said that he does not expect the toll to rise significantly.
Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by al-Shabab - an Islamist group based in neighbouring Somalia, which is part of the al-Qaeda network.Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by al-Shabab - an Islamist group based in neighbouring Somalia, which is part of the al-Qaeda network.
The BBC's Karen Allen says al-Shabab had infiltrated Kenyan neighbourhoods, recruiting young men and sending them to Somalia for training.
Al-Shabab has said via Twitter that 137 hostages died after government troops used chemical agents to end the siege, but its statement cannot be verified and the government has denied its claims.Al-Shabab has said via Twitter that 137 hostages died after government troops used chemical agents to end the siege, but its statement cannot be verified and the government has denied its claims.