A wounded woman at Westgate Shopping Centre in Nairobi after militant gunmen stormed the shopping mall on Saturday killing at least 68 people. Photo: Goran Tomasevic/Reuters

The death toll from an attack by Islamist militants on a Nairobi shopping mall reached 68 last night after more bodies were discovered.

Between 10 and 15 attackers – militants from the Somali al-Shabab movement – were still inside. Some civilians were still trapped, either as hostages or in hiding.

Last night brief volleys of gunfire and a blast interrupted hours of stalemate. As dusk fell two helicopters swooped low over the Westgate shopping centre, which has several Israeli-owned outlets and is frequented by prosperous Kenyans and foreigners.

Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta says the country is strong in adversity, and, vowing to stand firm against Somali militants, was cautious about the outcome, saying chances of the siege ending well were “as good ... as we can hope for”.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat condemned the attack and said this was “a wakeup call” for the international community.

Dr Muscat said the militants that carried out the attack had roots in Somalia, from where most of the migrants that come to Malta hail.