Blast shakes Nairobi mall, smoke pours from building

[cali]

A loud explosion sent thick smoke billowing from the Nairobi mall where militants from Somalia's al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group threatened to kill hostages on the third day of a raid in which at least 59 have already died.

The blast was followed by other smaller detonations and volleys of gunfire but there was no indication of the fate of people whom the authorities say are being held by 10 to 15 Islamist gunmen who took the complex by storm on Saturday.

As troops ran into new positions, security official told Reuters at the scene: "It is us who caused the explosion, we are trying to get in through the roof."

A plume of oily black smoke was still pouring from the building after 15 minutes.

snip

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/23/us-kenya-attack-idUSBRE98K03V20130923

[Recursion]

1. Ah, shit

I've still got two friends in there

Here's some fingers crossed.

[dipsydoodle]

3. Oh

Well I hope they're ok and just fine apart obviously from the bad experience.

[Recursion]

6. They may well have been rescued yesterday

Or... well, let's just stick with the first option for now.

[cali]

5. I'm not much of a person for prayer

but I've been praying/thinking positive thoughts about those caught in this nightmare.

I deeply hope/pray that your friends will survive this.

[Recursion]

7. Thank you, Cali

Info is pretty hard to get; they may well have been rescued yesterday but can't talk to anybody yet.

[Recursion]

15. They're OK! Small miracles

Actually one got out almost 36 hours ago and the other was out when it started, it turns out. But neither could communicate with anybody.

Still clasping hands for everybody who is actually in there.

[cali]

17. Oh I'm so very glad!

what a tremendous relief for you.

I'm holding close thoughts for those still trapped.

[TorchTheWitch]

20. Thank goodness!

I was so hoping it was just a case of lack of communication because of all that's been going on with this horrible incident. I'm so glad they are all right and that you found that out so don't have to worry anymore. What a nightmare that must have been for them!

[MoonRiver]

18. Prayer for peace

Holy Spirit, please bring the reality of love and peace to this fearful situation. Amen

[Dorian Gray]

10. I'm so sorry for your friends

I hope that they will come out of this alive. Best wishes to them. The horror of this will affect all the survivors for the rest of their lives, though. I can't imagine how all the hostages are feeling right now. Hugs.

[Recursion]

11. Info is completely locked down on survivors. We have no idea.

Here at the Consulate in Mumbai we can't even get news from the Embassy in Nairobi about American nationals who may or may not be there. My hope is my friends got out yesterday and just can't talk to anybody.

[Recursion]

16. They're OK it turns out! And apparently have been

So something just broke.

[Dorian Gray]

19. Very happy for

you and very happy for them. I hope you get to speak to them soon.

[TorchTheWitch]

12. I just read that more hostages were released last night

I hope it's true and that your friends are among them. According to the police there are very few hostages left now. I also read that they have everyone cornered on one particular floor but were being cautious because of the remaining hostages. Maybe this blast through the roof means that all the hostages have been released?

All the way along I've been thinking that these terrorists never intended to try to escape and after all the hostages are released they intend to go out in a "blaze of glory" firefight. After all this time with all the tension and aggression flowing they're probably exhausted and at the end of their rope. I can't imagine their ammunition would hold out much longer either. With all the grenades and bullet spraying willy nilly and the constant firefights with police and soldiers they'd have to be running out of ammo soon.

Are you certain your friends haven't been released and you just haven't gotten any news yet? Do you have a line of communication to the police there or the Red Cross or whoever it is that's got to be taking names and identifying the dead, wounded and released?

God, this is so terrible.

[Recursion]

13. Thanks; hoping the same

We know a lot of people got out at one time yesterday, but like I said info is held incredibly tight right now. Sigh.

In fairness, we don't want the attackers to know who they do and don't still have in there. I get that. It's just nerve-wracking.

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. This link goes to a short video of the gunfire:

http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-09-23/intense-gunfire-heard-from-shopping-centre-in-nairobi/

Listening to that gives me the willies!

[dipsydoodle]

4. Presumably / hopefully they will soon run out of ammunition.

.

[Recursion]

14. "We aren't firing"

Sorry, completely subjective, just the gut reaction I wanted to post. Kenya uses H&K's, which don't sound like "good guy" guns to this former Marine. Strange world.

[Bosonic]

8. I'm not sure burning down the mall is the best way to end the siege

[Recursion]

9. It's the Wilson Goode theory of conflict resolution

Sigh.