Forces push as siege enters 48th hour
Gunfire has been heard and a plume of smoke has been seen rising from Westgate mall as Kenyan forces push hard to bring the siege to an end and free the remaining hostages.
Update 13:50 PM (EAT)
Contrary to most reports which state there are 68 confirmed dead, The Star quotes Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku has stated that the death toll is 59.
He emphasised, “The death toll remains 59 and 175 injured. Some NGOs have given a higher death toll, which we believe to be incorrect owing to the possibility of double-counting. Some of the dead have already been released to their families for burial. We will in due course provide the number of foreigners killed in the attack.”
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Shoppers and workers at the popular shopping centre were caught off guard when the armed men opened fire at the prominent Westgate Mall, on Saturday afternoon.
The death toll has since been tallied at 68, with more than 175 left injured. Casualties were rushed to various nearby hospitals for treatment, but an accurate number of fatalities is still unknown due to on-going attacks.
An explosion and more shots has since been heard in the shopping centre, where the 10-15 militant attackers are believed to be holding hostages.
Kenya Defence Forces and other security services have attempted to take control of the scene in a bid to save the victims and hostages.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has addressed the nation, along with political rival, Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga and presented a united front in a bid to fight the cowardly attacks head-on.
The President, who has revealed that he also lost friends and loved ones in the horrific attacks, has pledged his support for those affected and emphasised strength in unity among the Kenyan people
Contrary to most reports which state there are 68 confirmed dead, The Star quotes Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku has stated that the death toll is 59.
He emphasised, “The death toll remains 59 and 175 injured. Some NGOs have given a higher death toll, which we believe to be incorrect owing to the possibility of double-counting. Some of the dead have already been released to their families for burial. We will in due course provide the number of foreigners killed in the attack.”
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Shoppers and workers at the popular shopping centre were caught off guard when the armed men opened fire at the prominent Westgate Mall, on Saturday afternoon.
The death toll has since been tallied at 68, with more than 175 left injured. Casualties were rushed to various nearby hospitals for treatment, but an accurate number of fatalities is still unknown due to on-going attacks.
An explosion and more shots has since been heard in the shopping centre, where the 10-15 militant attackers are believed to be holding hostages.
Kenya Defence Forces and other security services have attempted to take control of the scene in a bid to save the victims and hostages.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has addressed the nation, along with political rival, Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga and presented a united front in a bid to fight the cowardly attacks head-on.
The President, who has revealed that he also lost friends and loved ones in the horrific attacks, has pledged his support for those affected and emphasised strength in unity among the Kenyan people
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