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Garissa University College in Kenya attacked by gunmen

Thursday April 02 2015
garissa map

A map showing Garissa University College in northeastern Kenya. Gunmen attacked the institution on April 2, 2015. PHOTO | GOOGLE MAPS

The death toll of people killed after gunmen attacked Garissa University College in northeast Kenya on Thursday morning has risen to 15.

Kenya Red Cross officials said at least 65 people, including two policemen were injured by the attackers and have been rushed to hospital.

The two policemen and a civilian have been airlifted to Nairobi for treatment.

Masked gunmen stormed the university in northeast Kenya at dawn Thursday, at the campus not far from war-torn Somalia's lawless border.

"Gunmen forced their way into Garissa University by shooting at the guards manning the main gate at around 5:30am," said Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet.

"The gunmen shot indiscriminately while inside the university compound," he said.

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The number of students and teachers trapped inside the campus was unclear and gunfire and explosions could be heard coming from the site.

Somalia’s Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab said their gunmen attacked the Kenyan university on Thursday in an ongoing assault in revenge for Nairobi’s troops fighting in Somalia.

“Kenya is at war with Somalia.. our people are still there, they are fighting and their mission is to kill those who are against the Shebab,” insurgent spokesman Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rage told AFP by telephone.

Garissa lies roughly 150 kilometres (90 miles) west of Somalia and has in the past been targeted by the militants.

A witness, Ahmed Nur, said he saw the bodies of two university guards, shot by the attackers. Kenya's Red Cross is evacuating the wounded.

Students reported seeing up to four masked gunmen entering the university compound before dawn on Thursday.

The area surrounding the university has been sealed off by the Kenya security forces and the army has been called in.

Additional reporting - Nation.co.ke

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