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'Islamists' attack Kenyan coastal town 'Islamists' attack Kenyan coastal town
(about 7 hours later)
Suspected Islamist militants have attacked hotels and a police station in the Kenyan coastal town of Mpeketoni, military officials say. At least 26 people have died after suspected Islamist militants attacked hotels and a police station in a Kenyan coastal town, police say.
Witnesses reported seeing buildings on fire and hearing gunfire in the town, which is near Lamu island. Witnesses in Mpeketoni said gun battles went on for several hours and reported seeing buildings set on fire.
It is not yet clear if there are any casualties. The town is close to Lamu island, which is a well-known tourist resort.
Kenya has suffered a number of militant attacks since 2011 when its forces entered neighbouring Somalia to combat al-Shabab fighters.Kenya has suffered a number of militant attacks since 2011 when its forces entered neighbouring Somalia to combat al-Shabab fighters.
Kenya's Standard newspaper said on its website the attackers had stolen weapons and vehicles from the police station, which was on fire.Kenya's Standard newspaper said on its website the attackers had stolen weapons and vehicles from the police station, which was on fire.
It said local residents had fled to nearby forests.It said local residents had fled to nearby forests.
The paper also quoted a witness as saying he had counted six bodies in the street, but this could not be confirmed.The paper also quoted a witness as saying he had counted six bodies in the street, but this could not be confirmed.
Van hijackedVan hijacked
Kenyan army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said gunmen entered Mpeketoni, a busy trading centre, and started "shooting people".Kenyan army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir said gunmen entered Mpeketoni, a busy trading centre, and started "shooting people".
The "assailants [are] likely to be al-Shabab," Major Chirchir said.The "assailants [are] likely to be al-Shabab," Major Chirchir said.
He said surveillance aircraft were looking for the attackers.He said surveillance aircraft were looking for the attackers.
Local police chief Hamaton Mwaliko told Reuters that the gunmen had hijacked a van in nearby Witu town to carry out the attack.Local police chief Hamaton Mwaliko told Reuters that the gunmen had hijacked a van in nearby Witu town to carry out the attack.
"They raided Mpeketoni police station first," he said."They raided Mpeketoni police station first," he said.
"Some hotels in the town are on fire. We don't know how many casualties are there for now. We understand the attackers have already fled but our officers are pursuing them.""Some hotels in the town are on fire. We don't know how many casualties are there for now. We understand the attackers have already fled but our officers are pursuing them."
Mwanaisha Hamisi, Kenyan Red Cross co-ordinator for the region, said gunfire was first reported at 20:30 local time (17:30 GMT).Mwanaisha Hamisi, Kenyan Red Cross co-ordinator for the region, said gunfire was first reported at 20:30 local time (17:30 GMT).
Nearby Lamu island is a popular tourist destination with ancient architecture that is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.Nearby Lamu island is a popular tourist destination with ancient architecture that is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.