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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/nov/20/gunmen-take-hostages-radisson-hotel-mali-bamako
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| Mali attack: gunmen take 170 hostages at Bamako hotel | Mali attack: gunmen take 170 hostages at Bamako hotel |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Gunmen have launched an attack on a Radisson hotel in Mali’s capital, Bamako, taking about 170 hostages. | |
| At least three people – two Malian and one French person – were killed in the attack, a UN official told CNN. | |
| Related: Mali hotel attack: gunmen take hostages in Bamako – live updates | |
| Malian army commander Modibo Nama Traore said 10 gunmen stormed the Radisson Blu hotel shouting “Allahu Akbar” before shooting at guards and taking hostages. | Malian army commander Modibo Nama Traore said 10 gunmen stormed the Radisson Blu hotel shouting “Allahu Akbar” before shooting at guards and taking hostages. |
| Some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Qur’an, were later released, security sources told Reuters. A security source told AFP that the gunmen were “jihadis” and entered the hotel compound in a car that had diplomatic plates. | Some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Qur’an, were later released, security sources told Reuters. A security source told AFP that the gunmen were “jihadis” and entered the hotel compound in a car that had diplomatic plates. |
| “It’s all happening on the seventh floor, jihadists are firing in the corridor,” AFP’s source said. | “It’s all happening on the seventh floor, jihadists are firing in the corridor,” AFP’s source said. |
| The hotel is just west of the city centre in a neighbourhood that is home to government ministries and diplomats. | The hotel is just west of the city centre in a neighbourhood that is home to government ministries and diplomats. |
| In a statement the US-based Rezidor group, which owns the hotel, said 140 guests and 30 staff were being held hostage by two gunmen. | In a statement the US-based Rezidor group, which owns the hotel, said 140 guests and 30 staff were being held hostage by two gunmen. |
| “The Rezidor Hotel Group … is aware of the hostage-taking that is ongoing at the property today, 20th November 2015. As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees,” the company said in a statement quoted by AFP. | “The Rezidor Hotel Group … is aware of the hostage-taking that is ongoing at the property today, 20th November 2015. As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees,” the company said in a statement quoted by AFP. |
| Related: Are you affected by the Mali attack? Share your stories with us | |
| “Our safety and security teams and our corporate team are in constant contact with the local authorities in order to offer any support possible to re-instate safety and security at the hotel,” it added. | “Our safety and security teams and our corporate team are in constant contact with the local authorities in order to offer any support possible to re-instate safety and security at the hotel,” it added. |
| The Chinese state news agency Xinhua said at least seven Chinese tourists were among those trapped inside the building. It has broadcast a 23-second video clip said to be filmed by one of the hostages: | |
| Cell phone video filmed by Chinese tourist taken hostage in Bamako, #Mali. The Chinese national is among 170 trapped https://t.co/0QSaS5wMSs | |
| The US embassy in Bamako said in a series of tweets that it was aware of an “ongoing shooter situation” and advised its citizens to seek shelter. | The US embassy in Bamako said in a series of tweets that it was aware of an “ongoing shooter situation” and advised its citizens to seek shelter. |
| Northern Mali was occupied by Islamist fighters, some with links to al-Qaida, for most of 2012. Although they were driven out by a French-led military operation, sporadic violence continues. | Northern Mali was occupied by Islamist fighters, some with links to al-Qaida, for most of 2012. Although they were driven out by a French-led military operation, sporadic violence continues. |
| An Islamist group claimed responsibility for the death of five people last March in an attack on a restaurant in Bamako popular with foreigners. | An Islamist group claimed responsibility for the death of five people last March in an attack on a restaurant in Bamako popular with foreigners. |