A deadly terrorist assault at Garissa University College in Kenya has ended with 147 students confirmed dead, according to the interior ministry. Authorities say at least 79 people were injured after armed Al Shabaab militants stormed the Moi University campus near the Somali border.
The Kenya National Disaster Operation Centre reported that 587 students were rescued and all have now been accounted for. Interior minister Joseph Nkaissery confirmed that four attackers were killed, while another suspect was arrested while attempting to escape.
Al Shabaab claimed responsibility hours after the gunmen opened fire, saying they were holding Christian students hostage. Security forces, including police and military personnel, battled the militants for several hours.
Survivors said around five masked attackers entered the campus at about 5:30am, during morning prayers. Many students panicked as gunfire erupted, with some fleeing in the wrong direction toward the attackers, while others hid in fields and buildings for hours.
587 students have been evacuated from Garissa University College, 79 injured. All students have been accounted for.
— Disaster Operations (@NDOCKenya) April 2, 2015
