The Somalian terror group al-Shabaab says they are behind a terrorist attack in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. They targeted a luxurious office and hotel complex on the north side of the city centre. According to a photojournalist from press agency AFP, there are at least five deaths.
The “coordinated” attack against the hotel complex in the Kenyan capital Nairobi started at noon time. The attack began with an attack on a bank and the explosion of three bombs in vehicles, according to the British commercial broadcaster Sky. There was also a kamikaze in the foyer of the DusitD2 hotel involved. There, a series of guests suffered “serious injuries”. The police say that in the meantime six out of seven floors are safe.
It is not known how many perpetrators are involved, but most eyewitnesses speak of more than six. The Somali Islamic terror group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility. Kenyan media also report that the police discovered explosives in a car belonging to the perpetrators that have not exploded.
The police reported that they reacted with firearms. Several Western embassies are located on the Riverside Drive.
Evacuation
Dozens of students from a nearby university have been evacuated and brought to safety. On images on social media you can see how dozens of people walk out of the hotel and the complex after shots resound.
A terrified hotel guest still says to hear gunfire. Ron Ng’eno hides in his hotel room during the terrorist’s attack and calls on Twitter to pray for him. In his most recent tweet he reports that the battery of his phone is gradually empty.
Kenya has to contend with terrorist attacks more often. On September 21, 2013, 71 people were killed in a shooting in a shopping centre that is mainly visited by expats.
