Nairobi Westgate attack: Assault begins to break siege

Kenyan security forces have launched an
assault on the Westgate shopping complex
in the capital Nairobi in an attempt to
break the two-day siege.
Heavy gunfire can be heard and there were
earlier reports of explosions at the complex. A
plume of black smoke is billowing from the
building.
The Kenyan interior ministry said in a tweet:
"We've arrested some individuals at the airport
for questioning."
The official death toll now stands at 62 and
more than 170 have been injured.
The Somali Islamist al-Shabab movement has
said it carried out the attack in retaliation for
Kenyan military operations in Somalia.
The BBC's Gabriel Gatehouse, who is at the
scene, reported sustained gunfire.
Dozens of Kenyan troops were seen crossing
the road into the Westgate centre, said Daniel
Howden, a journalist for the British
newspaper, the Independent.
Meanwhile, the police have used tear gas to
disperse crowds of onlookers gathered close to
the Westgate Centre.
The Interior Ministry said in a tweet: "We are
pleading with you, #WestGateMall is a scene of
crime. For your own safety keep off that area.
Roads leading there have been cordoned."

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