| Description |
Early on the fourth day, a senior police source declared the operation to clear the building was "over", however journalists outside reported that sporadic gunfire was continuing. The confirmed death toll is 61 civilians, six security officers and five militants (72 total), plus 175 injuries. It is thought that the death toll could rise, as bodies could possibly concealed under the rubble. Authorities have said they have found "some" of the missing. 61 are still considered missing. Security forces are holding eight suspected al Shabaab militants in connection to the attack. The al Shabaab leader, Sheikh Ahmed Aw Abdi Godane "Abu Zubeir," issued an audio message 25/09 on the Westgate attack in Nairobi. In his message the al Shabaab leader praised the perpetrators and explained that the attack was to punish Kenya for invading Somalia and killing vulnerable Muslims in Somalia. |
