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Gunmen today attacked an upscale shopping mall in the Kenyan capital, leading to a fierce gunbattle with police and leaving at least 20 people dead, according to a CNN report quoting the Kenyan Red Cross.
Fifty more people were wounded in the attack at the mall in Nairobi, said Abbas Gullet, head of the Kenyan Red Cross.
The gunmen burst into the mall and shot indiscriminately, taking some people hostage, according to a senior Kenyan government source.
“All of a sudden we heard some shots and people rushing,” said Zulobia Kassam, who was having coffee at the mall. “We realised we were under attack. We rushed to the back, trying to hide and we heard random shots from everywhere – upstairs, downstairs.”
She said they stayed in hiding for about 40 minutes before sneaking out through a back door.
“People were petrified, crying, praying,” she said. “We were told there were hostages being held.”
It was unclear how many hostages the attackers took, but police are trying to negotiate for their release and retake the building, according to the source.
Crowds dashed down the streets as soldiers in military fatigues crawled under cars to get closer to the mall, guns cocked.
Surveillance helicopters flew overhead.
Police took those rescued from the building to a secluded place for vetting to ensure they were not attackers. They streamed away from the mall in a straight line, arms raised up in the air.
Attackers appear to be of Somali origin, a Kenyan government source and Western diplomatic sources told CNN.
The military asked local media not to televise anything live because the gunmen are watching the screens in the mall.
“We urge Kenyans to keep off Westgate mall, adjacent roads and its environs until further notice,” the interior ministry said in a statement.
“We’re doing our job to ensure that everyone is evacuated to safety,” the ministry said. “This is a scene of crime, let police do their job.”
Authorities said multiple shooters were at the scene and terrified shoppers were hiding inside the mall, which is popular among expatriates and the wealthy.
The high-end mall opened six years ago, and has more than 80 stores.
Village Market, another shopping center frequented by foreigners, shut down for the day as a precaution.
•Photo courtesy CNN shows security men seeking to flush out the gunmen . . . this afternoon in Nairobi.
