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Four dead in gun fight inside Nairobi's Westgate centre Four dead in gun fight inside Nairobi's Westgate centre
(35 minutes later)
A gun battle inside a shopping centre in the Kenyan capital Nairobi has left at least four people dead. A gun fight inside a shopping centre in the Kenyan capital Nairobi has left at least four people dead, witnesses say.
Armed police are exchanging fire with gunmen at the Westgate centre in the Westlands district - one of the city's most exclusive shopping malls.Armed police are exchanging fire with gunmen at the Westgate centre in the Westlands district - one of the city's most exclusive shopping malls.
One witness said the attackers threw grenades into the building at about midday local time (09:00 GMT).One witness said the attackers threw grenades into the building at about midday local time (09:00 GMT).
Dozens of shoppers fled the building. At least four people are wounded. A number of others are trapped inside.Dozens of shoppers fled the building. At least four people are wounded. A number of others are trapped inside.
Nairobi police chief Benson Kibue told AP news agency that the gunmen were trying to rob a shop within the mall when the shooting began.Nairobi police chief Benson Kibue told AP news agency that the gunmen were trying to rob a shop within the mall when the shooting began.
Police arrived about a half an hour after about five armed assailants stormed the building, eyewitnesses say. Police officers arrived about a half an hour after about five armed assailants stormed the building, eyewitnesses say.
Dutch embassy employee Rob Vandijk told AP that he had been eating at a restaurant in the centre when gunmen threw hand grenades inside the building.Dutch embassy employee Rob Vandijk told AP that he had been eating at a restaurant in the centre when gunmen threw hand grenades inside the building.
He said machine-gun fire then rang out, and people dropped to the ground.He said machine-gun fire then rang out, and people dropped to the ground.
Shopping centre security guards used shopping trolleys to wheel out several wounded children and at least one man, AP reports.
One Nairobi resident, Anupa, who lives about 1.5km away from the scene, told the BBC: "I can still hear the helicopters circling above."
"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."
Cars were left abandoned outside the building after the attack began.Cars were left abandoned outside the building after the attack began.
Armed police took cover behind vehicles outside. "We have officers at the scene trying to get out the group shooting inside," a police official told AFP news agency.Armed police took cover behind vehicles outside. "We have officers at the scene trying to get out the group shooting inside," a police official told AFP news agency.
"Officers are approaching the situation with caution because there are innocent civilians inside," he said."Officers are approaching the situation with caution because there are innocent civilians inside," he said.
There are fears that there may be some hostages, the NTV channel reports.There are fears that there may be some hostages, the NTV channel reports.
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.