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| At least three dead in Mali after gunmen storm hotel | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least three people have been killed in Mali after a group of attackers armed with guns and grenades stormed a luxury hotel in the capital, Bamako, taking around 170 people hostage. | At least three people have been killed in Mali after a group of attackers armed with guns and grenades stormed a luxury hotel in the capital, Bamako, taking around 170 people hostage. |
| Related: Mali hotel attack: gunmen take hostages in Bamako – live updates | Related: Mali hotel attack: gunmen take hostages in Bamako – live updates |
| Malian special forces were later seen launching an assault on the Radisson hotel, with the country’s state broadcaster saying at least 80 of the hostages had been freed. A security source told Reuters that special forces personnel were clearing the hotel floor by floor. | Malian special forces were later seen launching an assault on the Radisson hotel, with the country’s state broadcaster saying at least 80 of the hostages had been freed. A security source told Reuters that special forces personnel were clearing the hotel floor by floor. |
| “The attackers are still inside. We’re hearing gunfire from time to time,” a witness outside the hotel told the agency. | “The attackers are still inside. We’re hearing gunfire from time to time,” a witness outside the hotel told the agency. |
| The attack on the Radisson hotel appeared to be carried out by Islamist militants. The head of Mali’s military, Modibo Nama Traore, said about 10 gunmen stormed the hotel shouting “Allahu Akbar” and firing on the guards. A hotel staff member said grenades had been used. | |
| Some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Qur’an, were later released, security sources told Reuters. | Some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Qur’an, were later released, security sources told Reuters. |
| Mali’s president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, was in Chad for a meeting of regional leaders, but was cutting short his trip, officials said. | Mali’s president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, was in Chad for a meeting of regional leaders, but was cutting short his trip, officials said. |
| The military said that at least three people had been killed in the assault. The identities of the dead have not been confirmed, but one is thought to be a French national. Military sources said three attackers had been killed, but this could not be confirmed. Ambulances and a convoy of UN vehicles were at the scene. | The military said that at least three people had been killed in the assault. The identities of the dead have not been confirmed, but one is thought to be a French national. Military sources said three attackers had been killed, but this could not be confirmed. Ambulances and a convoy of UN vehicles were at the scene. |
| Mali has experienced significant activity in recent years from Islamist militant groups, who at one point seized the strategic town of Konna. This was returned to government control with the assistance of France, the the former colonial power, which launched a military offensive in 2013 at Mali’s request. | Mali has experienced significant activity in recent years from Islamist militant groups, who at one point seized the strategic town of Konna. This was returned to government control with the assistance of France, the the former colonial power, which launched a military offensive in 2013 at Mali’s request. |
| On Friday, France’s president, François Hollande, who is also dealing with the aftermath of the brutal Islamist attacks on Paris a week ago, said everything possible was being done to end the siege. France’s gendarme service said about 50 specially-trained police troops were en route from Paris to Bamako. | |
| Related: Are you affected by the Mali attack? Share your stories with us | |
| Air France said 12 of its crew were staying in the hotel, and Turkish Airlines said six of its staff were there. A Turkish government official said later that five Turkish Airlines personnel had been freed – a station chief, two pilots and two flight attendants. | |
| India’s foreign ministry said 20 Indian nationals were among the hostages, but that they were known to be alive. | India’s foreign ministry said 20 Indian nationals were among the hostages, but that they were known to be alive. |
| A security source told AFP the gunmen 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,” the source said. | A security source told AFP the gunmen 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,” the 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. |
| 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, 20 November 2015. As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees. | 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, 20 November 2015. As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees. |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| The Chinese state news agency Xinhua said at least seven Chinese tourists were among those trapped inside the building. It has broadcast a short video clip said to be filmed by one of the hostages. | The Chinese state news agency Xinhua said at least seven Chinese tourists were among those trapped inside the building. It has broadcast a short video clip said to be filmed by one of the hostages. |
| The US embassy in Bamako said it was aware of an “ongoing shooter situation” and advised its citizens to seek shelter. | The US embassy in Bamako said it was aware of an “ongoing shooter situation” and advised its citizens to seek shelter. |
| The Radisson attack follows a nearly 24-hour siege and hostage-taking at another hotel in August in the central Malian town of Sevare in which five UN workers were killed, along with four soldiers and four attackers. | The Radisson attack follows a nearly 24-hour siege and hostage-taking at another hotel in August in the central Malian town of Sevare in which five UN workers were killed, along with four soldiers and four attackers. |
| Five people, including a French citizen and a Belgian, were also killed in an attack at a restaurant in Bamako in March, in the first such incident in the capital. | Five people, including a French citizen and a Belgian, were also killed in an attack at a restaurant in Bamako in March, in the first such incident in the capital. |
| Northern Mali was occupied by Islamist fighters, some with links to al-Qaida, for most of 2012. Although they were driven out by the 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 the French-led military operation, sporadic violence continues. |