The Woman Behind This Iconic Kenyan Massacre Photo Is an American -- Here's Her Story

With the death toll from the Kenya mall massacre, which erupted Saturday, reaching at least 62 -- and more hostages still remain inside Tuesday -- harrowing stories from survivors are emerging.

Stories like that of this woman, photographed with a bruised and bloody face as she was being helped from the scene. As it turns out, that woman is an American.

This wounded woman was revealed to be Elaine Dang from San Diego. (Photo: SIMON MAINA/AFP/Getty Images)

Elaine Dang, a 26-year-old University of California-Berkeley graduate, was a general manager at the restaurant Eat Out Kenya, according to her LinkedIn profile. She had previously worked in Narobi as a training content developer for Bridge International Academies and a couple years ago worked with the Teach for America program in the U.S.

Elaine Dang (Photo via LinkedIn)

Elaine Dang with children in Kenya. (Photo via Facebook)

Dang's father spoke with San Diego's KGTV-TV about the attack that took the lives of five Americans so far. When Steven Dang heard about it and what happened to his daughter, he told the local news station he cried and was afraid.

Learning of her status, Steven found out his daughter was wounded by shrapnel in her chest, arm and leg. He said she had surgery to treat her wounds.

"...I’m happy right now … she do OK," he told KGTV, adding that the woman's sister flew to be with her Sunday.

Watch Steven Dang speak about his daughter in KGTV's report:

Elaine has tweeted her status since coming out of surgery.

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/eladang/status/381730527923159040"]

Dang recovers in a hospital. (Image via Twitter)

Eat Out Kenya, where Elaine worked, has tweeted about her status and those of others as well.

Elaine Dang being treated after the attack. (Image via Twitter)

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/EatOutKenya/status/382428849616588800"]

Although expected to heal from her physical wounds, the emotional scars from the attack that took the lives of two of Elaine's friends might never fully mend.

(H/T: Daily Mail)

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