Death toll from Nairobi attack rises to 21 and 50 unaccounted for

Al Shabaab said it carried out attack in retaliation for Trump declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, says monitoring group

People are evacuated by a member of security forces at the scene where explosions and gunshots were heard at the Dusit hotel compound, in Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters

Kenyan armed forces rescue people after an attack on a hotel, in Nairobi, Kenya. Extremists launched a deadly attack on a luxury hotel in Kenya's capital Tuesday, sending people fleeing in panic as explosions and heavy gunfire reverberated through the complex. A police officer said he saw bodies, "but there was no time to count the dead." AP Photo

A civilian meets with friends and family after being evacuated from the scene where gunmen blasted their way into a hotel and office complex in Nairobi, Kenya. Reuters

People are evacuated at the scene where explosions and gunshots were heard at the Dusit hotel compound, in Nairobi, Kenya. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

Cars are seen on fire at the scene. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

A window damaged by bullets has escaped shattering. Baz Ratner / Baz Ratner

Members of the security forces in situ. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

A woman is evacuated. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

A member of the security forces gestures as people take cover. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

Security forces stand guard. Ben Curtis / AP Photo

People are evacuated from the danger zone. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

An armed soldier takes cover next to a bullet-riddled window. Dai Kurokawa / EPA

A member of the security forces keeps guard as people are evacuated. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

People stand next to a wall as events unfold. Raphael Ambasu / AFP

A vehicle is seen as a member of the security forces keeps a look out. Thomas Mukoya / Reuters

A Kenyan woman (R) is overwhelmed by emotions after receiving the news that her relative (not pictured) was rescued from a business complex in Nairobi, Kenya, a day after suspected militants stormed an upscale hotel and office complex killing several people. The attack has been claimed by Somalia's Islamist militant group al-Shabab. Interior minister Fred Matiang'i said late 15 January that security forces have secured all the buildings without giving further details. According to media reports, at least 15 people have been killed, but no official number has been so far confirmed by the government. EPA

A woman is rescued at the scene of an on going terrorist attack at a hotel complex in Nairobi's Westlands suburb. Fifteen people have died in the Islamist attack on an upmarket hotel complex in Nairobi, Kenyan police sources said on January 16, as fresh explosions and gunfire rang out in the siege which stretched into its second day. AFP

Kenyan police officers return from the scene inside a business complex in Nairobi, Kenya, a day after the attackers stormed the compound killing several people in an attack claimed by Somalia's Islamist militant group al-Shabab. Interior minister Fred Matiangi said late 15 January that security foces have secured all the buildings without giving details. EPA

The death toll from a bomb and gun attack by militants on an upmarket hotel complex in Nairobi has risen to 21, Kenya's police chief said on Wednesday.

"We wish to inform that, as of this evening... six other bodies were found at the scene and one police officer succumbed very suddenly to his injuries," Inspector General Joseph Boinnet told reporters.

He said the death included 16 Kenyans, one Briton, one American and three people of "African descent who are yet to be identified".

The Al Shabaab militant group said it carried out the deadly attack in retaliation for US President Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, the SITE monitoring organisation said.

The fundamentalist alliance said in a statement that its fighters stormed the DusitD2 complex on instructions by Al Qaeda leader Ayman Al Zawahiri.

"It is a response to the witless remarks of the US president, Donald Trump, and his declaration of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) as the capital of Israel."

The statement was entitled: "Al-Quds (Jerusalem) will never be judaized," according to SITE.

"Know that we will hold you to account for every Muslim blood spilt in Palestine; ounce for ounce," the group said.

_______________

Read more:

Kenya will remain target as long as troops in Somalia

Nairobi attack shows Al Shabab still powerful despite US efforts

_______________

Another 28 people who were injured in the attack had been admitted to hospital without giving details on their condition, and more than 50 people remain unaccounted for.

Kenyan security forces ended the attack early Wednesday after a 20-hour operation that rescued hundreds of people and left all five assailants dead, Boinnet had announced earlier.