Title : Australian caught up in Nairobi terror attack praises security personnel
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Australian caught up in Nairobi terror attack praises security personnel
An Australian caught up in a terror attack in Nairobi said he ran through the hotel and office complex where extremists were unleashing explosions and gunfire, knowing there was a risk he could be killed.
Key points:
- Australian Simon Crump works in the compound that was attacked by militants
- Mr Crump praised efforts of security personnel who escorted him and other workers to safety
- DFAT not aware any Australians affected by the attack
Simon Crump, who works for a public relations company, barricaded himself in the office as extremists launched an attack on the compound in Kenya's capital that left at least 15 people dead.
"We were focused on getting out of there alive, being acutely aware that there were active shooters throughout the compound that we could potentially come under fire from," he said.
"It's not something you expect when you go to work on a Tuesday morning — that your day will be side-tracked by such events."
After hearing the initial explosions, Mr Crump feared the Australian High Commission, which he can see from his office, was under attack.
"I've got a good view of the High Commission from my window, and once I realised it wasn't an attack on the embassy, I realised it potentially was a more serious incident than I was anticipating," he said.
Speaking from Nairobi, he told The World Today how he and other workers then locked themselves in a room before questioning whether to open the door when they heard banging.
"When the security personnel arrived there was a lot of commotion," Mr Crump said.
"One of the biggest fears you have in such a situation is whether the people who are banging at the door are the people who are going to get you out of such a situation, or whether they are the people who are going to hurt you."
Security guards ordered workers to keep their hands in full view as they were frisked for weapons, before they escorted the group out of the building.
Mr Crump said they took a "slow and strategic route" through the compound to avoid being shot because the terrorists were still at large.
"You're nervous, you're anxious, you're not understanding what is happening — there are a lot of feelings you go through in such a situation that are very hard to put words to," Mr Crump said.
"It's a traumatic time, it's a very stressful time … you are wondering whether you should be messaging your loved ones to say, 'Thank you, it's been swell, please forgive me and I love you', or, 'Please be calm and we will be out shortly'."
He praised the efforts of security personnel who escorted them to safety.
"The people that we were with were very much in control and in many ways, while it's a stressful situation, you had reassurance that these people were focused on making sure you get out alive."
In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was not aware of any Australians being affected by the attack.
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