Nairobi DusitD2 hotel under attack as blasts and gunfire heard

[Zeeraq]

A luxury hotel complex is under attack in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

At least two blasts and gunfire were heard at the compound in the Westlands district of the city, which houses the DusitD2 hotel as well as offices.

The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab claimed the attack but gave no details. Four armed men entered the complex, eyewitnesses say.

People are leaving the site escorted by heavily armed officers. Several people were led out covered in blood.

What is the latest?

A woman working in a neighbouring building told Reuters news agency: "I just started hearing gunshots, and then started seeing people running away raising their hands up and some were entering the bank to hide for their lives."

Explosions were heard and a plume of smoke rose above the compound, with vehicles on fire in the car park.

One police officer told the BBC's Ferdinand Omondi at the scene: "Things are not good. People are dying."

There are no details about casualties so far.

The five-star DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms. Located in the Westlands suburb, minutes from the capital's business district, it has its own spa and several restaurants.

Kenya has seen a number of terror attacks in recent years - most notably in areas close to the Somali border and in the country's capital.

Who are al-Shabab?

They are a militant Islamist group that opposes the Somali government but has also carried out attacks throughout East Africa.

In September 2013, al-Shabab fighters entered the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi and targeted shoppers using guns.

During an 80-hour siege at the upscale centre, 67 people were killed.

Two years later, the group carried out its deadliest ever assault in Kenya, shooting dead almost 150 people at Garissa University.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46880375

 

[Halaribo]

Alhamdulillah, my family are all safe.

A country already rife with corruption and poverty, it doesn't need such rubbish ruining the tourism industry.

Such a sad state of affairs. Kenya is unrecognisable from the country my family grew up in.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Kenya was a great place for tourists in 90s

 

[Mages]

Kenya was a great place for tourists in 90s

15 dead till now...

"Police and anti-terrorist forces have regained control of a Nairobi hotel and office complex, hours after Islamist extremist gunmen launched an attack that is thought to have killed at least 15 people, including a US citizen."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/nairobi-kenya-gunfire-hotel-complex-dusitd2

 

[giri26]

Nairobi DusitD2 hotel attacked by suspected militants

Suspected militants have attacked a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi, killing at least six people.

Gunfire and blasts were heard at the compound in the Westlands district of the Kenyan capital, which houses the DusitD2 hotel as well as offices.

The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab said it was behind the attack.

Despite the government saying all the buildings were secured by Tuesday evening, fresh gunfire has since been heard.

Officials and witnesses said at least five people died at a restaurant in the complex in the incident, while another person died of their injuries in hospital.

A US citizen is among the dead, according to the US State Department.

But the total number killed is not yet confirmed - a mortuary worker told Reuters that it was at least 15.

The attack began at about 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT). The gunmen threw bombs at vehicles in the car park before entering the lobby, where one blew himself up, Kenyan police chief Joseph Boinnet told reporters.

A woman working in a neighbouring building told Reuters news agency: "I just started hearing gunshots, and then started seeing people running away raising their hands up and some were entering the bank to hide for their lives."

Police then rushed to the scene. One officer told the BBC's Ferdinand Omondi at the scene: "Things are not good. People are dying."

At 20:00 GMT, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said all the buildings in the complex had been secured by security forces.

"The situation is under control and the country is safe," he told reporters. "Terrorism will never defeat us."

An hour later though, gunfire was heard from the area.

Security forces were combing their way through the building hours after the attack started with reports saying frightened workers had barricaded themselves inside.

About 30 people are being treated at Nairobi hospitals, media reports say.

The five-star DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms. Located in the Westlands suburb, minutes from the capital's business district, it has its own spa and several restaurants.

Kenya has seen a number of terror attacks in recent years - most notably in areas close to the Somali border and in the country's capital.

Every person escaping the Dusit complex has the same story - heavily armed men firing indiscriminately, using bombs and automatic rifles to kill. Most were too shaken to talk. They were all relieved to have escaped.

They were coming out in small groups, many hours after the first explosions. The blasts could be heard across the city. I was in my flat round the corner when they happened, followed by the unmistakable sound of gunfire.

The pictures that have been coming from inside are truly horrific. Ordinary people going about their business, murdered as they had lunch or did their jobs.

This has a personal feel, too. The restaurant that seems to have taken the brunt of the explosions is a place I know well. It was full of lovely staff who would always greet you with a smile. As I sit watching the survivors escape, I wonder how many of them didn't make it.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46880375

 

[giri26]

Al Shabaab claims responsibility for Nairobi attack

Seven people have been killed in a terrorist attack in Kenya.

Gunfire and blasts were heard at the compound in the Westlands district of the Kenyan capital, which houses the DusitD2 hotel as well as offices.

The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabaab have claimed responsibility for the attack.

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/progra...ms-responsibility-for-nairobi-attack/10719688

 

[Swashbuckler]

Sad, these African terrorist groups based in Somailia, Nigeria are the most dangerous ones today, more active than their West Asian counterparts. RIP to the deceased and strength to the survivors of this carnage.

 

[Zeeraq]

Nairobi hotel: DusitD2 siege over as attackers eliminated

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has said a siege by suspected militants in Nairobi is over and all the attackers have been "eliminated".

Gunmen attacked the compound in the Westlands district of Kenya's capital on Tuesday, killing at least 14 people.

Officials originally announced the end of the siege hours after it began, but gunfire and explosions were heard again early on Wednesday.

The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab said it was behind the attack.

It is not clear how many attackers there were.

The complex houses the DusitD2 hotel as well as offices.

In a TV address to the nation, Mr Kenyatta said 14 people had been killed but 700 others were safely evacuated from the complex.

However, the Kenyan Red Cross put the number of dead at 24.

A US citizen is among the dead, the US state department said. He has been named as Jason Spindler.

A British citizen with dual South African nationality was also killed and another Briton was wounded, the UK Foreign Office said.

"I can now confirm that... the security operation at Dusit is over and all terrorists have been eliminated," the Kenyan president said.

"We will seek out every person that was involved in the funding, planning and execution of this heinous act," he added, vowing to pursue them "relentlessly".

"We are a country governed by laws, rules and regulations - a country that embraces peaceful coexistence... I must also state that we are also a nation that never forgets those who hurt our children."

How did the attack unfold?

The attack began at about 15:00 local time (12:00 GMT) when four gunmen threw bombs at vehicles in the car park before entering the lobby, where one blew himself up, police say.

A woman working in a neighbouring building told Reuters news agency: "I just started hearing gunshots, and then started seeing people running away raising their hands up and some were entering the bank to hide for their lives."

Security camera footage showed at least four heavily armed men walking in and opening fire. There are reports they had been seen visiting the compound in recent days.

At 23:00, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i said all the buildings in the complex had been secured by security forces.

"The situation is under control and the country is safe," he told reporters. "Terrorism will never defeat us."

But just an hour later gunfire and sporadic explosions were reported in the area. There was more heavy gunfire at about 07:00.

Security forces combed their way through the building where frightened workers had barricaded themselves inside.

In the early hours of Wednesday, more than 100 people were rescued. About 30 people are being treated at Nairobi hospitals, media reports say.

The five-star DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms. Located in the Westlands suburb, minutes from the capital's business district, it has its own spa and several restaurants.

Kenya has seen a number of terror attacks in recent years - most notably in areas close to the Somali border and in the country's capital.

How did those caught inside fare?

When the gunmen first entered the complex there was confusion, as people first tried to escape to freedom and then retreated into the building as they came under fire.

One eyewitness, Faith Chepchirchir, told Reuters: "People were trying to run towards the gate, but then I saw everyone who was running towards the gate was coming back from the gate, now heading to this opposite direction.

"So for me we just closed the doors and then gunshots were just being sprayed all over. From the top, I think [the gunmen] went to the top floor and then started spraying bullets."

Many civilians remained holed up in the complex for several hours, as they hid from the attackers in bathrooms, and even under tables and chairs.

Some were able to keep in contact with loved ones by text.

They included Zinzi Khalwale, daughter of a former senator Boni Khalwale. Her father told The Daily Nation she had hidden in one of the rooms of her office until her rescue.

By the evening, all but the seventh floor of the complex had been cleared, but some civilians remained there, apparently in close proximity to the surviving attackers.

Who are al-Shabab?

They are a militant Islamist group that opposes the Somali government but has also carried out attacks throughout East Africa.

Kenya is part of a regional peacekeeping operation that supports the Somali government in its battle against al-Shabab.

In September 2013, al-Shabab gunmen entered the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi and targeted shoppers.

During an 80-hour siege at the upscale centre, 67 people were killed.

Two years later, the group carried out its deadliest ever assault in Kenya, shooting dead almost 150 people at Garissa University.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-46888682