Interpol offers support in Kenya mall attack probe

Interpol Sunday offered to deploy a team of anti-terror experts to probe the attack on a mall in Kenya's capital.

Condemning Saturday's attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Interpol has offered assistance in conducting an investigation into the assault, Xinhua reported.

At least 59 people have been confirmed dead and 175 injured in the attack.

Authorities suggest that about 10 to 15 gunmen of Somalia-based militant group Al Shabaab were holding at least 30 people hostage inside the mall.

Interpol also offered to issue its colour-coded international notice to alert law enforcement agencies around the world about the modus operandi behind the attacks.

The law enforcement agencies could obtain an additional information in relation to the investigation, missing persons, or to seek the arrest of those wanted in connection with the incident, said Interpol Secretary General Ronald K Noble.

"This deadly incident in Nairobi reminds us all how much harm a handful of heavily-armed, hateful and blood-thirsty terrorists can cause in any country," Noble said in a statement received Sunday.

"With Kenyan security forces locked in a standoff with gunmen and hostages reportedly held, all requests for information from Kenyan authorities are being treated with the highest priority," he added.

Noble said any fingerprint and DNA evidence could also be compared against Interpol's global databases and offered full support to Kenya in their investigation.