An upscale hotel complex in Kenya’s capital is currently under attack, with a blast and heavy gunfire. Witnesses and police at the scene are calling it a terror attack.
The complex in Nairobi includes a large hotel known as DusitD2, banks and offices. Several vehicles are burning. People are being rushed and carried from the scene while gunfire continues several minutes after the first reports.
Police spokesman Charles Owino says that “we have sent officers to the scene, including from the anti-terrorism unit, but so far we have no more information.” Ambulances, security forces and firefighters have rushed to the scene, sirens wailing.
The attack reminds many Kenyans of the Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi in 2013, when al-Shabab extremists burst into the luxury shopping center, hurling grenades and starting a days-long siege that left 67 people dead.
A Kenyan police officer who was among the first responders at the at Dusit Hotel attack says he saw bodies but ‘no time to count the dead’.
Some Kenyan hospitals are appealing for blood donations as the number of people wounded in an attack on an upscale hotel complex in Nairobi remains unknown.
Night has fallen and it is not immediately clear whether attackers are still active in the complex and how many people might be trapped or hiding inside.
The Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab is claiming responsibility for the attack on an upscale hotel complex in Nairobi and says its members are still fighting inside.
Update: Some civilians rescued;
Please note that we now have two official tracing hotline numbers:0715 820219 and 1199. #Riversideattack
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) January 15, 2019
BREAKING: Kenyan police officer among attack’s 1st responders says he saw bodies but ‘no time to count the dead’
— AP Africa (@AP_Africa) January 15, 2019
The National Police specialised units are on site at 14 Riverside Drive to engage the attackers. Please utilise this channel for all official information and refrain from re-tweeting unconfirmed news.
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) January 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/KTNKenya/status/1085180887040475136/
pic.twitter.com/01uI8wzntZ
— Africa Uncensored (@AfUncensored) January 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/FerdyOmondi/status/1085176635576516608/
BREAKING: Somalia-based extremist group al-Shabab claims responsibility for Nairobi attack, says fighters still inside complex.
— AP Africa (@AP_Africa) January 15, 2019
pic.twitter.com/lTf2GrDYiI
— Africa Uncensored (@AfUncensored) January 15, 2019
#BREAKING: Explosions & gunfire heard at Dusit Hotel in Nairobi. #Kenya
pic.twitter.com/D0c4QkaRRF— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) January 15, 2019
People with gunshot wounds being rescued. pic.twitter.com/ySNe5SBDhx
— FERDINAND OMONDI (@FerdyOmondi) January 15, 2019
Looks like Recce squad have arrived. Still lots of intermittent shooting, and burning cars still exploding. Eyewitness claims he saw 4 armed men enter and start shooting pic.twitter.com/9ipniRaI8x
— FERDINAND OMONDI (@FerdyOmondi) January 15, 2019
Attack on the Dusit Hotel in Nairobi’s Riverside Drive happens exact same day that a Kenya Defence Forces camp in Al Adde was attacked in Somalia 3 years ago. #Nairobi #Kenya pic.twitter.com/iTrwpxvjNm
— Alex Masereka Joel (@kukuwazabanga) January 15, 2019