Must Listen

Must Read

What Art Thinks

Pre-Millennialism

Today's Headlines

  • Sorry... Not Available
Man blowing a shofar

Administrative Area





Locally Contributed...

Audio

Video

Special Interest

Daily News
19934
“Kenya Siege: Death Toll Rises to At Least 59”
by INN - Ari Sofer   
September 22nd, 2013

The death toll in a bloody shooting spree by Islamist terrorists at a shopping mall in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi continues to rise, as several gunman have barricaded themselves in the mall, along with a number of hostages.

Officials in the east African country have raised the official death toll to 59, many of them children and the elderly, after gunmen from the Al Qaeda-linked Somali terrorist group Al Shabaab embarked on a bloody rampage through the luxurious Westgate mall in Nairobi. A further 175 people are believed to have been injured in the attack.

According to numerous media and official reports, as of this morning between 10-15 gunmen remain inside the mall, along with approximately 30 hostages, and were holding out against Kenyan security forces.

Witnesses described how the terrorists opened fire with assault weapons, mowing down men, women, children and the elderly.

The attack was not entirely "indiscriminate," however: multiple eyewitnesses described how victims were "vetted" by the terrorists, who made them recite Muslim prayers to ascertain their religion. Those who were able to prove that they were Muslim were allowed to go free, while non-Muslims were deliberately murdered in cold blood.

On its official "Twitter" account, Al Shabaab confirmed that Muslims had been "escorted" to safety, whilst "infidels" were targeted for death, and claimed to be holding at least 36 hostages.

One man described to how the terrorists methodically selected their victims.

"They came and said: 'If you are Muslim, stand up. We've come to rescue you'," Elijah Lamau told the BBC.

He said that the Muslims left with their hands up, following which the terrorists gunned down two people.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has vowed to "hunt down the perpetrators wherever they run to".

The mall was targeted on an especially busy day, as the weekend rush reached its height with Kenyans and foreign tourists visiting its shops, restaurants and cinemas.

go back button