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Nairobi Westgate attack: Gunfire heard inside complex | Nairobi Westgate attack: Gunfire heard inside complex |
(34 minutes later) | |
An explosion and gunfire have been heard at the shopping centre in Nairobi where militants are believed to be holding a number of hostages. | An explosion and gunfire have been heard at the shopping centre in Nairobi where militants are believed to be holding a number of hostages. |
Sixty-eight people have been killed and more than 170 injured since the attack began on Saturday. | Sixty-eight people have been killed and more than 170 injured since the attack began on Saturday. |
Between 10 and 15 attackers - thought to be militants from the Somali al-Shabab movement - are still inside the Westgate shopping centre. | Between 10 and 15 attackers - thought to be militants from the Somali al-Shabab movement - are still inside the Westgate shopping centre. |
Reporters at the scene said there had been heavy and rapid bursts of fire. | Reporters at the scene said there had been heavy and rapid bursts of fire. |
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Nairobi says that developments reflect an intensification of efforts by the security forces to bring the stand-off to an end as conditions for those trapped in the complex deteriorate. | |
An unnamed Kenyan security source told the AFP news agency that an army assault was underway. | An unnamed Kenyan security source told the AFP news agency that an army assault was underway. |
An AFP correspondent at the scene said he heard about 15 minutes of fierce gunfire which then subsided. | An AFP correspondent at the scene said he heard about 15 minutes of fierce gunfire which then subsided. |
A photographer accompanying the correspondent said troops deployed around the mall were forced to duck for cover. | A photographer accompanying the correspondent said troops deployed around the mall were forced to duck for cover. |
The photographer said it "sounded as if the shots were coming from somewhere around the mall, or were being fired from a vantage point in the mall". | The photographer said it "sounded as if the shots were coming from somewhere around the mall, or were being fired from a vantage point in the mall". |
The defence forces said on Twitter several hours ago: "All efforts are under way to bring this matter to a speedy conclusion." | The defence forces said on Twitter several hours ago: "All efforts are under way to bring this matter to a speedy conclusion." |
Some civilians are still trapped, either as hostages or because they are hiding. | Some civilians are still trapped, either as hostages or because they are hiding. |
Overnight reports said that the gunmen were holed up in a supermarket. | Overnight reports said that the gunmen were holed up in a supermarket. |
Earlier defence spokesman Col Cyrus Oguna said only a small number of hostages were still being held and most had been rescued. | Earlier defence spokesman Col Cyrus Oguna said only a small number of hostages were still being held and most had been rescued. |
As troops continue to clear the building it was possible they would come across more bodies, Col Aguna warned on Sunday. | As troops continue to clear the building it was possible they would come across more bodies, Col Aguna warned on Sunday. |
Correspondents at the complex reported an eerie calm early on Monday despite the army's statements that it wanted to bring a "speedy conclusion" to the siege, now entering its third day. | Correspondents at the complex reported an eerie calm early on Monday despite the army's statements that it wanted to bring a "speedy conclusion" to the siege, now entering its third day. |