Smoke rises from the blast area after an attack at an upmarket hotel and office complex in Nairobi, Kenya, on Jan. 15, 2019. At least three people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following an attack at an upmarket hotel and office complex in Nairobi on Tuesday, police said. (Xinhua/Zhang Yu)
At least three people have been confirmed dead and several others injured following an attack at an upmarket hotel and office complex in Nairobi on Tuesday, police said.
A police officer at the scene said a multi-agency police task-force is manning the situation on ground after six armed men stormed inside dusitD2 Hotel and are suspected to be holed up inside the hotel.
Somali terrorist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack but the al-Qaida linked group did not give details on the motive of the attack.
The police confirmed the attack, saying its specialized units are on site at 14 Riverside Drive to engage the attackers.
"Police wishes to confirm that there has been an attack incident along 14 Riverside Drive. The area has since been cordoned off and motorists are advised to use alternative routes to facilitate smooth operations of the Police," the police said in a statement.
Witnesses said the armed attackers arrived at the business complex at around 3.30 p.m. local time, detonated grenades into parked vehicles before forcing their way into area by shooting at guards.
The complex has several government and private offices, including the hotel which is frequented by foreigners.
Earlier reports said an explosion following gunfire rocked the business complex in Nairobi on Tuesday.
Plumes of white smoke could be seen billowing from the scene into the air amid sustained gunfire, according to witnesses.
The hotel compound is located along Riverside Drive which has several offices and hotels.
Kenyan authorities have been struggling to keep the country safe in recent years.
More than 60 people were killed when masked gunmen stormed a popular shopping mall in the Kenyan capital Nairobi and held shoppers hostages in September 2013.
