2020 Photo Contest, Spot News, 2nd Prize

Nairobi DusitD2 Hotel Attack

Photographer

Dai Kurokawa

European Pressphoto Agency

15 January, 2019

Women are evacuated as security forces look out for perpetrators of an attack on the DusitD2 luxury hotel and business compound, in Nairobi, Kenya.



 

Five attackers threw bombs at vehicles in the parking area before entering the hotel lobby, where one staged a suicide bombing. At least 700 people were evacuated from the complex, with 21 killed and 28 wounded. The Somalia-based Islamist extremist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for the attack, releasing a statement that called it a response to US president Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. The DusitD2 complex houses a number of international companies, and is frequented by government officials and foreign visitors, making it a target that would draw media attention. The attack and subsequent security operation lasted 20 hours, and ended with all five attackers being killed.

About the photographer

Dai Kurokawa

Dai Kurokawa is European Pressphoto Agency’s (EPA) chief photographer and photo editor for East Africa.  Kurokawa started his career as a freelance photojournalist ...

Technical information

Shutter Speed
1/2500
ISO
4000
Camera
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV

This image is collected in