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| At least three dead in Mali after gunmen storm hotel and take hostages | At least three dead in Mali after gunmen storm hotel and take hostages |
| (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 about 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 about 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 local and state television saying dozens of hostages had been freed. However, the hotel’s owners said according to its latest information 125 guests and 13 staff were still inside. | |
| A security source told Reuters that special forces personnel were clearing the hotel floor by floor, and TV pictures showed heavily armed troops inside the lobby. | |
| “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 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 were used. | |
| Among the freed hostages was a famous Guinean singer, who told reporters he heard some of the attackers in the room next to him speaking to each other in English. | Among the freed hostages was a famous Guinean singer, who told reporters he heard some of the attackers in the room next to him speaking to each other in English. |
| “I heard them say in English ‘Did you load it?’, ‘Let’s go’,” said Sekouba “Bambino” Diabaté. “I wasn’t able to see them because in these kinds of situations it’s hard.” | “I heard them say in English ‘Did you load it?’, ‘Let’s go’,” said Sekouba “Bambino” Diabaté. “I wasn’t able to see them because in these kinds of situations it’s hard.” |
| Some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Qur’an, were released, security sources told Reuters. | Some hostages, including those able to recite verses of the Qur’an, were released, security sources told Reuters. |
| Air France said 12 of its crew who were staying in the hotel were safe. It has cancelled its scheduled flights to and from Bamako for Friday. Turkey’s prime minister, Ahmet Davutoğlu, said five out of seven Turkish Airlines crew members who were being held had been rescued – 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. | |
| Mali’s president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, was in Chad for a meeting of regional leaders, but was cutting short his trip, officials said. | Mali’s president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, was in Chad for a meeting of regional leaders, but was cutting short his trip, officials said. |
| The military said at least three people had been killed in the assault. Their identities 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, the French 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 | Related: Are you affected by the Mali attack? Share your stories with us |
| 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, initially said 140 guests and 30 staff were taken 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 reinstate 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. |