Ten people are killed in Nairobi explosions as a British holiday operator begins evacuating customers from the country.
A woman walks near a damaged vehicle at the scene of a twin explosion at the Gikomba open-air market for second-hand clothes in Nairobi
By Tim Marshall, Diplomatic Editor
Two explosions have rocked a busy market in the Kenyan capital Nairobi as hundreds of British tourists prepare to return to the UK amid warnings of a “high threat” of terrorism.
Ten people have died and more than 70 others are wounded following the blasts on a minibus and in Gikomba Market.
The scene of one of two explosions in Nairobi
Kenya’s National Disaster Operation Centre said the explosions were caused by homemade bombs and that one person had been arrested.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has warned Brits of a “high threat” of terrorism.
Similar advice has been issued by the governments of France, Australia and the US – prompting travel company Thomson to begin evacuating its 400 customers from the country.
A policeman inspects a damaged public transport van at the scene of a twin explosion at the Gikomba open-air market for second-hand clothes in Nairobi The scene of one of two explosions in Nairobi
Holidaymakers are being advised to leave unless there is “an essential reason to remain”.
An attack on a market area in Mombasa on May 4 killed seven people
A Sky source said the threat was not specific to British people and no precise plot had been uncovered.
“The advice to consider leaving is due to a general worsening of the security situation over time,” the source said.
Another source claimed there was “an increased threat to Western nationals since Westgate” – a reference to the attack on the Westgate shopping centre in Nairobi last September by the Somalian terror group al Shabaab in which at least 67 people died.
British tourists leaving Kenya Thompson is said to be flying all of its 400 customers back to the UK
The FCO website has a map of Kenya marking the areas of concern. These include anywhere within 60km of the Kenya-Somali border, the Eastleigh area of Nairobi and Mombasa Island.
The advisory does not cover tourist areas of Diani or Moi international airport which serves the city of Mombasa.
Explaining the threat, the advice reads: “There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnapping. The main threat comes from extremists linked to al-Shabaab, a militant group that has carried out attacks in Kenya in response to Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia.
Kenya. The areas of concern, according to the FCO website
“There has been a spate of small-scale grenade, bomb and armed attacks in Nairobi (especially the area of Eastleigh), Mombasa, and North Eastern Province.”
The US cited hotels, nightclubs and shopping centres in Mombasa as possible targets.
One flight carrying returning holidaymakers arrived in Gatwick airport on Friday morning and another was due in late on Friday. They had been scheduled to fly on May 20 and 27.
Kenyan authorities have pledged to beef up security but insisted visitors were safe.
British tourists leaving Kenya The Foreign Office has warned against all but essential travel
Karanja Kibicho, principal secretary at Kenya’s foreign affairs department, said the advisories were “obviously unfriendly acts”.
Interior Ministry spokesman Mwenda Njoka added: “The threats are perpetual, we are at war. But we have not received any specific threat on the hotels.”
The latest bombings follow explosions in Nairobi and Mombasa on May 3 and 4, which Kenya blames on al Shabaab. Seven people were killed.
Plain-clothed policemen check the damage on a passenger bus An attack on a market area in Mombasa on May 4 killed seven people
Thomson and First Choice have announced they are suspending all flights to Mombasa for six months.
Source: Sky news