An Italian volunteer worker has been abducted by unidentified gunmen at the Kenyan coastal area of Kilifi on Tuesday night.
Kenyan police say more than five people were injured during the 17:00 GMT incident in Chakama, one of them seriously.
“A gang of men armed with AK 47 rifles attacked Chakama Trading Centre in Makongeni, about 80 kilometres west of Malindi town,” the National Police Service said in a statement.
The men are said to have fired indiscriminately at residents, five of whom suffered gunshot wounds, and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Police say the gang then abducted a 23-year-old Italian woman who volunteers for Africa Milele Onlus, a Non-Governmental Organisation operating in the area.
Officers have been deployed to track down the gang and are appealing to members of the public to share any leads they may have with the police.
“We assure the public that we are sparing no effort in tracking down the criminals and rescue the victim,” police said. Officers are treating the incident as a terror attack.
