21 dead as gunmen attack luxury hotel complex in Kenya

Kenyan security forces evacuate people after an explosion at DusitD2 hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday.

At least 21 people have been killed during a suspected militant attack at a luxury hotel complex in Nairobi.

The attack, which has since been claimed by Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab, took place at the compound in the Westlands district of the Kenyan capital which houses the DusitD2 hotel.

A British citizen and a US citizen have been confirmed among the dead.

The Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) said in a statement that authorities have confirmed all buildings affected by the attack on the complex have been secured.

“The response by the Kenyan security forces was swift, determined and well synchronized so that within a short time the situation had been brought under control,” the statement read.

“The situation is under control and the country is safe,” Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i told the BBC.

“Terrorism will never defeat us.”

Officials have confirmed 28 people were also injured in the attack and 19 are still missing.

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According to the BBC, the gunmen threw bombs at vehicles in the hotel carpark before one blew himself up in the lobby.

“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,” one witness told Reuters.

Joseph Boinnet, inspector general of the National Police Service said in a statement that authorities in Kenya have been vigilant throughout the holiday season “and therefore all public and other hotel premises remain under close watch.”

“Reports from throughout the country indicate that everything remains calm and normal,” he said.

“We urge the public to remain calm and to cooperate with all security forces and to provide any information that they may deem as useful to the security forces.”

All means of transport are operating normal schedules including the international airports in both Nairobi and Mombasa including the train connection between Nairobi and Mombasa.

African travel company Bench Africa’s general manager, Martin Edwards said that while none of their passengers has been directly affected, they are keeping in touch with them either directly or through the company’s local office in Kenya.

“We remind people to visit and register their holiday on www.smartraveller.gov.au to ensure they receive the latest government advice on travel safety and security,” he said.

Featured image source: Capital public radio

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