Nairobi hotel complex under attack

Nairobi Dusit hotel attack: explosions, gunfire and rescue operation[/caption]

A luxury hotel complex is under attack in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi.

At least two blasts and gunfire were heard at the compound in the Westlands district of the city, which houses the DusitD2 hotel as well as offices. The Somalia-based militant group al-Shabab claimed the attack but gave no details. Four armed men entered the complex, eyewitnesses say. People are leaving the site escorted by heavily armed officers. Several people were led out covered in blood.

What is the latest?

A woman working in a neighbouring building told Reuters news agency: “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.” Explosions were heard and a plume of smoke rose above the compound, with vehicles on fire in the car park. One police officer told the BBC’s Ferdinand Omondi at the scene: “Things are not good. People are dying.” There are no details about casualties so far.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="976"] Security forces have cordoned off the area[/caption]

The five-star DusitD2 hotel has 101 rooms. Located in the Westlands suburb, minutes from the capital’s business district, it has its own spa and several restaurants. Kenya has seen a number of terror attacks in recent years – most notably in areas close to the Somali border and in the country’s capital.

Who are al-Shabab?

They are a militant Islamist group that opposes the Somali government but has also carried out attacks throughout East Africa. In September 2013, al-Shabab fighters entered the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi and targeted shoppers using guns. During an 80-hour siege at the upscale centre, 67 people were killed. Two years later, the group carried out its deadliest ever assault in Kenya, shooting dead almost 150 people at Garissa University. Source: BBC]]>