Kenya University Attack: Founteen Killed Others Held As Hostage

Masked terrorists killed at least fourteen people and taken a number of student as hostages" after storming a university in eastern Kenya.
According to Sky news two police officers are among the dead following heavy gunfire and explosions in a campus building at Garissa University.

At least 65 others have been wounded.

Somalia's al Shabaab militant group have claimed responsibility. "We sorted people out and released the Muslims," said spokesman Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab.

"There are many dead bodies of Christians inside the building. We are also holding many Christians alive. Fighting still goes on inside the college."

The Red Cross said "50 students have been safely freed".

Some students were seen fleeing campus buildings as police arrived.

Kenya Police Chief Joseph Boinet said: "Gunmen forced their way into Garissa University by shooting at the guards manning the main gate at around 5.30am.

"The gunmen shot indiscriminately while inside the university compound.

"Police... engaged the gunmen in a fierce shootout; however, the attackers retreated and gained entry into one of the hostels."

A gunfight between security services and the perpetrators lasted several hours, according to the Red Cross.

The area has been sealed off and the army called in to try and "flush out" the attackers.

The National Disaster Operations Center said on Twitter that students have been evacuated from three of four dorms.

The gunmen have been cornered in the other.

Students reported seeing up to four masked attackers.

Grace Kai, a student at a neighbouring college, said there had been warnings of an imminent attack.

"Some strangers had been spotted in Garissa town and were suspected to be terrorists," she said.

"Then on Monday our college principal told us... that strangers had been spotted in our college. On Tuesday we were released to go home, and our college closed, but the campus remained in session, and now they have been attacked."

Kenya's northern and eastern regions, which border Somalia, have been most affected by attacks blamed on al Shabaab Islamists from Somalia.

The militants have vowed to take retribution against Kenya for sending its troops to Somalia.

 

 

 

Skynews