Death toll in Kenya University attack hits 147

                               

A​l-Shabab militants killed at least 147 people in a university in Kenya, the country’s interior ministry has said.

The militants stormed Garissa University College near Kenya’s border with Somalia, early Thursday.

Five people were killed in the morning by the militants, themselves numbering at least five, officials said.

Initial figure of casualties stood at 70. But the interior minister, Joseph Nkaissery, said by evening, 147 people had been killed.

The gunmen clashed with guards for most of the day after forcing their way into dormitories, taking hostages and singling out non-Muslims, the police said.

Officials said they separated Muslims from Christians, freed some of the Muslims while others were taken hostage.

By late afternoon, the country’s disaster management officials said at least 79 were injured. They said more than 500 students were rescued.

Mr. Nkaiserry also said four of the attackers had been killed.

He also said security forces were in the process of clearing the area.

Al-Shabab militants operate mainly in Kenya and Somalia.