What on EARTH happened in Kenya :-(??

[PacificDogwood]

Save us all from fanatics .

I am quite fanatically against extremists of all colours/faiths/nationalities.

What can go on in their heads when they plan an attack like this? Are they hoping to win support? Do they truly believe that atrocious acts like this wins a place in paradise?? Really?

I despair sometimes .

[expatinscotland]

There are reports of explosions in the mall now.

[meditrina]

Well, reading between the lines of news reports toady, there are various international special forces ready to go. I suspect this may not end well, unfortunately. I hope at as many of the civilians as at all possibke, whether hostages or just hiding, make it out alive.

[Worriedformyfriend]

Waiting for the dust to clear. Please let there be more people found safe.

[duchesse]

We think they are OK. My mother sent me a text saying they are flying back this evening but tbh I won't believe it until I see a communication from my sister herself.

[PacificDogwood]

duchesse, how incredibly scary for you - I do hope you'll see them safe and sound with your own eyes v soon.

The political situation there and in so many places on this planet is rather fucked-up. I still don't see how that leads to violent acts of terrorrism on people not directly involved in whatever conflict you care to mention.

funeral tents in Iraq were bombed by Sunnis yesterday, killing over 90 Shi'ites. I want to hear some condemnation about that too.
Yes, me too. And where is the reporting on that event? And I am sure many others that happen but you don't hear about - either not at all, or only if you are really listening/seeking out more buried reports.

The mother lying on the ground with her arms around her 2 kids got to me - I thought they were all dead until the little girl moved her head a bit. I cannot imagine the terror .

Here's hoping for a quick resolution - I don't think that an overall resolution of the many conflict in that area is at all in sight, sadly.

[meditrina]

I saw an article on the Iraq bombing on the BBC website, when the death toll was approx 50. It didn't stay on their front page for long.

So many horrible events.

[AnyaKnowIt]

reports of gun fire coming from the building this morning

[Worriedformyfriend]

A few more hostages have been rescued. Think there are around 65 missing.

[duchesse]

We know they're safe! Thank goodness. They were on the other side of Nairobi. My sister said it's far worse than is being reported but I'm not sure how it could be...

[Worriedformyfriend]

Hands being cut off the dead and faces being burnt to stop identification.

[magimedi]

So pleased for you, duchesse

[duchesse]

Have found some articles online suggesting that one of the ring-leaders is Samantha Lewthwaite, the self styled "White Widow" of one of the 7/7 bombers. Apparently she is one of the leaders of this terror group in Somalia.

[meditrina]

According to SKY, she's not a "leader" and there is no evidence (yet?) to show she is in any way associated with this attack.

There is a military operation under way, but no indication of how long it might take. Nor whether there is any prospect of negotiations to free the hostages (number still not known) or if it'll be a case of an assault in a hope some can be freed before all are executed.

[AnyaKnowIt]

my god its getting worse

[Worriedformyfriend]

The Daily Nation are doing live updates.

[Xiaoxiong]

Spoke to my aunt yesterday. She was in the car 400m from the carpark on her way into the mall when another friend called who was just in the carpark saying explosions had happened, they both turned around and escaped. A third friend was inside already, hid all night and was thankfully rescued in the early hours by the head of UN Security who went in alone(!!!) and extracted her and a number of other people who were hiding with her. Apparently she was terrified her mobile would go off as she was hiding inside a cardboard box. She had left her two kids at home that day and said thinking about them got her through.

Anyway they still have another friend who is missing who is 9 months pregnant They are all frantic.

And luckily my aunt had just done a shop as everything is closed now, no milk or bread but she has a lot of pasta(!) She has shared what she bought with neighbours who didn't manage to get fresh food before they were put on lockdown.

[AboutTimeForAChange]

I am beyond shocked that they think the Widow of the 77 bomber a lone Mother of four children has been organising, funding and training this group.

[meditrina]

There's a huge plume of smoke rising from the building now.

It's a nightmare situation, and if there is a fire taking hold then speed must surely be vital now.

[twistyfeet]

watching the Beeb now

[TheWomanTheyCallJayne]

Yes if the place is on fire I suspect they'll go for it quickly to make the place safe for those hiding to escape. Very sadly I think any hostages they have will lose their lives.
Whichever way it goes I don't think it's going to be a good ending.

[AboutTimeForAChange]

Cameron, is leaving the Queen in Scotland, to chair a COBRA meeting now apparently.

[Worriedformyfriend]

Yy about the Kenyan red cross, they have been impressive.