Nairobi mall gunbattle kills four, dozens wounded: witnesses

21/09/2013

Photo taken on March 15, 2012 shows a night-view of Nairobi. At least four people have been killed and dozens of others wounded in an attack on an upmarket shopping mall in the Kenyan capital, an AFP reporter said. (AFP Photo:Tony Karumba) — Photo taken on March 15, 2012 shows a night-view of Nairobi. At least four people have been killed and dozens of others wounded in an attack on an upmarket shopping mall in the Kenyan capital, an AFP reporter said. (AFP Photo/Tony Karumba)

Gunfire is ongoing and armed police are at the scene of one of Nairobi’s most exclusive shopping centres.

An armed group stormed a shopping centre in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, sparking a fierce gunbattle, according to police and witness reports.

Police said they had surrounded the Westgate mall, which is popular with wealthy Kenyans and expatriates, and urged residents to stay away from the area.

A witness from the Reuters news agency said he saw two wounded people stretchered out of the shopping centre, as panicked shoppers fled the building and armed police ducked behind vehicles outside.

Gunfire is ongoing and armed police are at the scene of one of Nairobi’s most exclusive shopping malls.

A Reuters photographer says he has seen what appeared to be five dead bodies, but there is no official confirmation.

More to follow…