Islamic gunmen storm Kenyan college, 15 killed

Gunmen suspected to be Islamic terrorists stormed a Kenya university before dawn Thursday, opening fire and taking hostages.

At least 15 people were killed at Garissa University College, the Kenyan Interior Ministry confirmed. As many as 550 others are unaccounted for at the campus that had about 815 students.

All staff members are accounted for "and are helping with the tracking of students," the Kenya National Disaster Operation Center said on Twitter.

The Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militant group have so far claimed responsibility for the assault.