Masked gunmen from Al-Qaeda splinter group Al-Shabaab have attacked Garissa University College in Kenya reportedly killing 14 and injuring many. Gunshots and explosions were heard, and those calling from the university say they have seen many casualties.
“I have counted 14 bodies of dead people being carried out of the campus by a Red Cross ambulance, and they include two of our officers who were also killed,” said a policeman at the university campus in Garissa. “We are finding it difficult to access the compound because some of the attackers are on top of a building and are firing at us whenever we try to gain entry.”
At least twenty-nine people have been injured in the attack, four of them critically, Kenya’s disaster officials said.
Somali Islamist group Al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for the assault saying it is holding Christians hostage inside the university.
The gunmen allegedly entered the university as students were heading to morning prayers, Standard Media outlet reported. The attackers reportedly posed as worshipers among the students, and then started shooting at them indiscriminately.
Students who escaped the attack have told security forces there are at least five gunmen, holding many others as hostages inside. Conflicting reports on Twitter put the death toll at seven.
According to some accounts, the gunmen were also wearing suicide vests.
A heavy police and military presence is seen near the university.
Just over a week ago a terror threat alert was issued for Kenyan universities, Twitter users report.
