UPDATE, Sept. 23, 4:55 p.m. ET: Kenyan forces are on the brink of defeating the militants inside the Westgate shopping center, authorities announced on Monday afternoon. This announcement comes after all the remaining hostages were evacuated, as the Associated Press reported.
A tweet from Police Inspector General David Kimaiyo also seemed to indicate that authorities were close to regaining control of the mall.
Taken control of all the floors. We're not here to feed the attackers with pastries but to finish and punish them. IG— David Kimaiyo (@IGkimaiyo) September 23, 2013
UPDATE, Sept. 22, 5:12 p.m. ET: "Most" of the people held hostage by al-Shabab fighters in the mall have been freed.
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)
ALERT : We urge you to keep off #WestgateMall kindly keep off and pave way for #ambulances making their way to Westgate and R. Hospitals— Kenya Police (@PoliceKE) September 22, 2013
We've evacuated two wounded soldiers at Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall.— Kenya Police (@PoliceKE) September 22, 2013
The Kenya Police (@PoliceKE)
Though we cry & weep as a nation, we shall STAND as ONE. We will defend and protect our beloved country. #WeAreOne @IGkimaiyo @InteriorKE— Kenya Police (@PoliceKE) September 22, 2013
This account was verified by Twitter on Monday.
Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross)
All our Blood Drives countrywide recorded unprecedented turnout, we apologize to Donors who missed out please bare with us ^PO
— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) September 22, 2013
UPDATE as at 1220hrs 3 bodies retrieved and 2 hostages rescued
https://twitter.com/search?q=%23WestGateMall&src=hash">#WestGateMall ^PO pic.twitter.com/FrMXgyyrBf— Kenya Red Cross (@KenyaRedCross) September 22, 2013
The Kenya National Disaster Operation Center (@NDOCKenya)
City Hall being used as a blood donation centre to relieve the number of people at Kencom. Thanks to everyone who turned up to donate.— Disaster OpCentre KE (@@NDOCKenya)
">September 22, 2013
The center also responded to tweets regarding blood donation centers.
The Kenya Defence Forces (@kdfinfo)
KDF expresses sympathy to the injured and condoles the families that have lost their loved ones in this attack— Kenya Defence Forces (@kdfinfo) September 23, 2013
We hail the efforts of the brave and selfless men and women who are putting their lives on the line in the Defence of our country— Kenya Defence Forces (@kdfinfo) September 23, 2013
David Kimaiyo, Inspector General of the Kenyan Police (@IGkimaiyo)
Kimaiyo asked families of victims to use Twitter's direct messaging service to share information.
Kindly we are urging friends and relatives who may have their loved ones and have not yet been traced to inform us through direct message.IG— David Kimaiyo (@IGkimaiyo) September 22, 2013
Families to call Police HQs 020310225, 0203556780, 02023532198, 0202724154, 020355771 or my number 0722444110 or Nairobi PPO's 0714563332.— David Kimaiyo (@IGkimaiyo) September 21, 2013
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. In an email to Mashable, Twitter stated they do not comment on individual accounts for privacy and security reasons.