Masked gunmen have attacked a university in the town of Garissa in northern Kenya, police said, as ongoing gunfire could be heard from the university premises.
Witnesses said explosion and heavy gunfire rocked Garissa University College early on Thursday, and ambulances were already at the scene.
Local media reported that the gunmen have taken hostages inside the complex after raiding the university.
The attack on the university facility began at dawn, Alinoor Moulid, a freelance journalist based in Garissa, told Al Jazeera.
“According to some of the students who escaped, there are around five gunmen and they entered the university dormitory while students were sleeping,” Moulid told Al Jazeera.
“It is hard to tell [about casualties] because the area is now cordoned off, and it is heavily guarded,” he added.
“At the moment, I can hear sirens, and at some point I could hear an exchange of gunfire.”
Those calling from inside the university say there are many casualties.
Garissa University College (GUC), the only public institution of higher learning in the region, opened its doors in 2011 for about 450 students, according to the institution’s website.
The university is situated in Garissa County in the northeastern region of Kenya, about 380km from Nairobi, the capital.
Thirdman alienda wapi atupatie 411 on the current situation?
The university has being cordoned off but heavy gunfire and explosions can be heard from the inside, some of those inside have called people on the outside saying they are under siege and also say there are dead bodies. current situation inside is unknown.
Thanks Vuja…hopefully this gets disseminated enmasse to all the students and staff…how I wish they would have a notification system ie text messages or recorded calls
Shit. Didnt some Talker post some warning of some sort about Al miccoondoo attacking some university? Anyway. Freedom and Security are always ceremonial.