Smoke billows from Nairobi terror mall as army moves in

Smoke is billowing from the Nairobi shopping mall attacked by al-Qaeda linked terrorists after security forces began an operation to free the remaining hostages.

A powerful explosion was followed by other smaller detonations and volleys of gunfire as troops ran into new positions around the Westgate mall.

One security official told the Reuters news agency at the scene: ‘It is us who caused the explosion, we are trying to get in through the roof."

Kenyan police tweeted at around 12.30pm: ‘The security forces are in control of the entire Westgate building and we are doing what must be done to end this."

Kenyan police said security forces were in control of the building (Picture: Reuters)

Police also said ‘we have just managed to rescue some hostages" adding ‘we"re increasingly gaining advantage of the attackers".

Military and police helicopters and one plane circled over the mall, in the upmarket Westlands neighbourhood of the Kenyan capital.

Kenya"s Red Cross said the death-toll rose now stands at 68 and the confirmed dead included four Britons as well as French, Canadians, Indians, a Ghanaian, a South African and a Chinese woman.

More than 175 people were injured, including many children, Kenyan officials said.