Nairobi Mall Attack: Death Toll Rises To 22 -Red Cross
A policeman carries a baby to safety after masked gunmen stormed an upmarket mall and sprayed gunfire on shoppers and staff, killing at least 22 and wounding 50. PHOTO BY SIMON MAINA / AFP/GETTY IMAGES.
The number of people killed when masked gunmen stormed an upmarket mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Saturday and sprayed gunfire on shoppers and staff, has risen to 22, according to Kenyan Red Cross.
An estimated 50 people have been wounded in the attack.
Several attackers and trapped civilians were believed to still be inside the large four-storey shopping centre more than two hours after the attack began, and heavy fire was heard as police units moved in.
Police and ambulances surrounded the Westgate mall, which is popular with wealthy Kenyans and expatriates and would have been packed with families on a sunny weekend day.
Terrified people could be seen running away from the compound clutching children while others crawled along walls to avoid stray bullets.
Kenneth Kerich, who was shopping when the attack happened, described scenes of panic.
“I suddenly heard gunshots and saw everyone running around so we lay down. I saw two people who were lying down and bleeding, I think they were hit by bullets,” he said.
“Initially we thought it is police fighting thugs. But we could not leave until when officers walked in, shot in the air and told us to get out.”
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