Kenya Westgate Mall Attacks: Who to Follow on the Ground

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By Megan Hess2013-09-22 18:50:21 UTC

The deadly siege at an upscale Nairobi shopping mall continues after a terrorist attack killed at least 68 and injured more than 175 on Saturday, according to officials. An unknown number of people are being held hostage inside Kenya's Westgate Mall, as the death toll steadily climbs.

The Somali militant group al Shabaab, which is linked to Al-Qaeda, immediately claimed responsibility for the opening gunfire in the mall. It also took to Twitter to gloat and promise even more violence using the handle @HSM_Press, which has since been suspended. Twitter's rules prohibit posting "direct, specific threats of violence against others." Previous Twitter accounts affiliated with al Shabaab have also been suspended in the past, following messages that included open threats.

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The mall was holding a children's day event at the time of the vicious attacks, according to a Red Cross official and witnesses.

Several sources in Kenya are posting steady streams of help and encouragement, with many using the hashtag #WeAreOne and #WestgateMall.

Kenya's Interior Ministry (@InteriorKE)

The Kenya Police (@PoliceKE)

Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross)

The Kenya National Disaster Operation Center (@NDOCKenya)

The center also responded to tweets regarding blood donation centers.

David Kimaiyo, Inspector General of the Kenyan Police (@IGkimaiyo)

Kimaiyo asked families of victims to use Twitter's direct messaging service to share information.

The president of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, also shared his sentiments on Twitter. "Terrorism in and of itself, is the philosophy of cowards," Kenyatta wrote. "The way we lead our lives; in freedom, openness, unity & consideration for each other represents our victory over all those who wish us ill."

His full remarks are available here.

This story is developing, and we will continue to update this article. Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Image: Simon Maina/AFP/Getty Images

Topics: kenya, terrorism, Twitter, US & World, westgate mall attacks, World