Kenyan security forces say they have taken control of all floors of the Nairobi shopping centre attacked by suspected al-Shabab militants.
An explosion and bursts of gunfire were heard coming from the complex on Tuesday morning as speculation grew that the operation was nearing its end.
At least 62 people have been killed with more than 170 injured.
Meanwhile, Kenya's foreign minister said "two or three" Americans and a British woman were among the attackers.
In an interview with the US TV programme PBS Newshour, Amina Mohamed said the Americans were 18 or 19 years old of Somali or Arab origin and lived "in Minnesota and one other place".
She said the Briton was a woman who has "done this many times before".
The Kenyan Red Cross has told the BBC that 63 people remain unaccounted for.
It is unclear how many militants are in the Westgate building but Kenyan officials said three "terrorists" had been killed.
The Somali Islamist al-Shabab movement has said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia.
Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku told the BBC late on Monday that the operation would continue overnight, but stressed it was in its final stages.
"The terrorists could be running and hiding in some stores, but all floors now are under our control," he said.
"There is no room for escape."
He said it was "unlikely" that any hostages were still in the building.
As night fell on Monday, flames and thick smoke continued to rise from the building an hour after four large explosions shook the neighbourhood.
At about 06:30 (03:30 GMT) on Tuesday a reporter with the Associated Press said another explosion and more gunfire could be heard.
An explosion and bursts of gunfire were heard coming from the complex on Tuesday morning as speculation grew that the operation was nearing its end.
At least 62 people have been killed with more than 170 injured.
Meanwhile, Kenya's foreign minister said "two or three" Americans and a British woman were among the attackers.
In an interview with the US TV programme PBS Newshour, Amina Mohamed said the Americans were 18 or 19 years old of Somali or Arab origin and lived "in Minnesota and one other place".
She said the Briton was a woman who has "done this many times before".
The Kenyan Red Cross has told the BBC that 63 people remain unaccounted for.
It is unclear how many militants are in the Westgate building but Kenyan officials said three "terrorists" had been killed.
The Somali Islamist al-Shabab movement has said it carried out the attack in retaliation for Kenyan military operations in Somalia.
Kenyan Interior Minister Joseph Ole Lenku told the BBC late on Monday that the operation would continue overnight, but stressed it was in its final stages.
"The terrorists could be running and hiding in some stores, but all floors now are under our control," he said.
"There is no room for escape."
He said it was "unlikely" that any hostages were still in the building.
As night fell on Monday, flames and thick smoke continued to rise from the building an hour after four large explosions shook the neighbourhood.
At about 06:30 (03:30 GMT) on Tuesday a reporter with the Associated Press said another explosion and more gunfire could be heard.
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