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| Mali attack: '27 bodies' seen at hotel as officials say hostage situation over – live updates | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 4.15pm GMT16:15 | |
| 27 people killed at hotel, according to reports | |
| An UN official has said that peacekeepers at the hotel saw 27 bodies, and that a search of the building was continuing, according to Reuters. | |
| ABC News’ Martin Cuddihy also tweeted the report. | |
| Correction: UN peace keeper has counted 27 bodies at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako. @abcnews | |
| Updated at 4.20pm GMT | |
| 4.07pm GMT16:07 | |
| AFP has filed more information about the Belgian national who was killed in the Mali hotel siege, and understood to have been a regional assembly official. | |
| A Belgian regional assembly official was among those killed when Islamist gunmen stormed the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali’s capital Bamako on Friday, his employer said. | |
| Geoffrey Dieudonne, an official with the parliament of Belgium’s French-speaking community, had been in Mali for a convention, the parliament said in a statement. | |
| “Mr Dieudonne, with other foreign colleagues, was in Mali to give a seminar for Malian parliamentarians,” the Brussels-based parliament said. | |
| “At this stage the exact circumstances of his tragic death are not yet known.” | |
| Updated at 4.19pm GMT | |
| 4.05pm GMT16:05 | |
| Two gunmen killed in hotel siege, according to Malian military | |
| BREAKING: Two gunmen killed in Mali hotel siege: Malian military | |
| 4.01pm GMT16:01 | |
| All remaining hostages at the Malian siege “have been taken under the wing of the civil authorities”, ministerial adviser Amadou Sangho told French television station BFMTV. | |
| He added the operation was undertaken “uniquely” by Malian forces. | |
| Updated at 4.04pm GMT | |
| 3.59pm GMT15:59 | |
| Two people tell how they were rescued by Malian security forces from Islamist gunmen who had held them hostage on Friday in a Radisson hotel in the capital, Bamako. | |
| 3.54pm GMT15:54 | |
| Jason Burke | |
| If al-Mourabitoun, an al-Qaida-linked group, is indeed responsible for the Bamako siege it is a stunning example of how the deep rivalry between al-Qaida, founded in 1987 or 1988, and IS, founded in 2014, is responsible for a wave of violence across much of the Islamic world and, as we found out, last week, beyond. | |
| IS broke away from al-Qaida and its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and the leader of al-Qaida, Ayman al-Zawahiri, detest each other. | |
| The world of militancy is is riven with splits and doctrinal differences, personal animosities and grudges. There is also fierce competition for recruits, donations and attention. | |
| Security services have long been aware of how violence can escalate when groups divide or fragment and the factions battle for supremacy, each trying to outdo the other. This may well be what has driven the timing of this new operation, the first high-profile such attack by al-Qaida for some time. The group is trying to steal back some of the limelight and dominate the news agenda again, as it once did so often and so effectively. | |
| What appears clear is that the Paris attacks have intensified and accelerated a chaotic, dynamic reordering of alliances and capabilities within the broader landscape of Islamic militancy, meaning that an already hugely complex threat is increasingly difficult for security services to read. | |
| Updated at 4.04pm GMT | |
| 3.44pm GMT15:44 | 3.44pm GMT15:44 |
| A Malian official has told BFM TV that there are no more hostages being held at the hotel, according to Reuters. But there are reports on Twitter that hostages still remain on the site. | A Malian official has told BFM TV that there are no more hostages being held at the hotel, according to Reuters. But there are reports on Twitter that hostages still remain on the site. |
| Selon un journaliste malien sur place il y a encore des otages dans l'hôtel #Radisson #Bamako @itele | Selon un journaliste malien sur place il y a encore des otages dans l'hôtel #Radisson #Bamako @itele |
| 3.37pm GMT15:37 | 3.37pm GMT15:37 |
| Mali hotel gunmen 'holding no more hostages' | Mali hotel gunmen 'holding no more hostages' |
| AFP reports that there are no more hostages being held in the hotel. | AFP reports that there are no more hostages being held in the hotel. |
| #BREAKING: Mali hotel gunmen 'holding no more hostages': security minister | #BREAKING: Mali hotel gunmen 'holding no more hostages': security minister |
| 3.36pm GMT15:36 | 3.36pm GMT15:36 |
| AFP is citing a foreign security source who reports that 18 people have been killed in the attack. | AFP is citing a foreign security source who reports that 18 people have been killed in the attack. |
| #BREAKING: Eighteen bodies recovered from Mali hotel siege: foreign security source | #BREAKING: Eighteen bodies recovered from Mali hotel siege: foreign security source |
| A Belgian national is reportedly among the dead. | A Belgian national is reportedly among the dead. |
| #BREAKING: Belgian killed in Mali hotel siege: employer | #BREAKING: Belgian killed in Mali hotel siege: employer |
| 3.31pm GMT15:31 | 3.31pm GMT15:31 |
| Here’s a bit more information about al-Mourabitoun, the African jihadist group affiliated with al-Qaida which has claimed responsibility for the Mali hotel attack. | Here’s a bit more information about al-Mourabitoun, the African jihadist group affiliated with al-Qaida which has claimed responsibility for the Mali hotel attack. |
| Al-Mourabitoun, based in northern Mali, is made up mostly of Tuaregs and Arabs. It was formed around two years ago and is headed by former al-Qaida fighter Mokhtar Belmokhtar. | Al-Mourabitoun, based in northern Mali, is made up mostly of Tuaregs and Arabs. It was formed around two years ago and is headed by former al-Qaida fighter Mokhtar Belmokhtar. |
| The group claimed responsibility for the death of five people last March in an attack on a restaurant in Bamako; a suicide attack on a group of UN peacekeepers in northern Mali in April in which at least three people died; and an attack on a hotel in Sévaré in central Mali in August in which 17 people were killed. | The group claimed responsibility for the death of five people last March in an attack on a restaurant in Bamako; a suicide attack on a group of UN peacekeepers in northern Mali in April in which at least three people died; and an attack on a hotel in Sévaré in central Mali in August in which 17 people were killed. |
| Updated at 3.42pm GMT | Updated at 3.42pm GMT |
| 3.20pm GMT15:20 | 3.20pm GMT15:20 |
| An unconfirmed report on a local radio station says 15 people were killed in the attack. | An unconfirmed report on a local radio station says 15 people were killed in the attack. |
| Mikado FM cited a civil protection official as a source. | Mikado FM cited a civil protection official as a source. |
| Le bilan de l'attaque terroriste à l'hôtel #Radisson s'alourdit: au moins 15 morts, selon la protection civile .#bamako #mali | Le bilan de l'attaque terroriste à l'hôtel #Radisson s'alourdit: au moins 15 morts, selon la protection civile .#bamako #mali |
| That’s it from me, I’m handing over now to my colleague Nadia Khomami. | That’s it from me, I’m handing over now to my colleague Nadia Khomami. |
| Updated at 3.26pm GMT | Updated at 3.26pm GMT |
| 3.15pm GMT15:15 | 3.15pm GMT15:15 |
| Bret McGurk, Barack Obama’s envoy on countering Islamic State militants, says it is too soon to speculate whether the Mali attack is related to last week’s attacks in Paris. | Bret McGurk, Barack Obama’s envoy on countering Islamic State militants, says it is too soon to speculate whether the Mali attack is related to last week’s attacks in Paris. |
| MSNBC quoted McGurk saying that militant groups in Mali are not particularly connected to Islamic State. | MSNBC quoted McGurk saying that militant groups in Mali are not particularly connected to Islamic State. |
| Updated at 3.42pm GMT | Updated at 3.42pm GMT |
| 3.07pm GMT15:07 | 3.07pm GMT15:07 |
| Al-Qaida linked group claims responsibility | Al-Qaida linked group claims responsibility |
| An African jihadist group affiliated with al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for the ongoing attack, according to Reuters. | An African jihadist group affiliated with al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for the ongoing attack, according to Reuters. |
| Al-Mourabitoun, a group based in northern Mali and made up mostly of Tuaregs and Arabs, posted a message on Twitter saying it was behind the attack on the Radisson Blu hotel. | Al-Mourabitoun, a group based in northern Mali and made up mostly of Tuaregs and Arabs, posted a message on Twitter saying it was behind the attack on the Radisson Blu hotel. |
| The claim could not immediately be verified. | The claim could not immediately be verified. |
| Updated at 3.44pm GMT | Updated at 3.44pm GMT |
| 3.03pm GMT15:03 | 3.03pm GMT15:03 |
| Emma Graham-Harrison | Emma Graham-Harrison |
| News that there are were at least seven Chinese nationals among the hostages at a Mali hotel will put a spotlight on the country’s response to global terror threats, just days after Isis announced it had executed a Chinese hostage, writes Emma Graham-Harrison. | News that there are were at least seven Chinese nationals among the hostages at a Mali hotel will put a spotlight on the country’s response to global terror threats, just days after Isis announced it had executed a Chinese hostage, writes Emma Graham-Harrison. |
| China, which supported the US “war on terror” from its early days, describes militant extremism as a shared threat at home and abroad. Beijing faces an increasingly violent separatist movement in far western Xinjiang province, may have up to 100 nationals fighting with Isis, and is worried about radical groups in neighbouring countries including Uzbekistan exporting fighters, weapons or ideology across its borders. | |
| In response, the government has stepped up security across the country, and is increasingly active trying to broker peace between the Taliban and government in Afghanistan, which it sees as a cauldron of extremism on its doorstep. | |
| But despite dedicating ever-larger budgets and energy to dealing with separatists at home, top leaders remain wary of any military involvement abroad. | But despite dedicating ever-larger budgets and energy to dealing with separatists at home, top leaders remain wary of any military involvement abroad. |
| They have noted the cost of Afghan expeditions to both the Soviet Union and later the US and its allies. Sending troops to trouble spots also sits uneasily with official diplomatic rhetoric focused on the country’s “peaceful rise”. | |
| That tentative stance may come under pressure from the country’s outspoken “patriotic youth”, if an increasingly well-travelled middle class gets caught up in more attacks overseas however. | That tentative stance may come under pressure from the country’s outspoken “patriotic youth”, if an increasingly well-travelled middle class gets caught up in more attacks overseas however. |
| When news emerged that Isis hostage Fan Jinghui, a 50-year-old former teacher from Beijing, had been killed in Syria, many online were quick to question why no rescue had been attempted or to call for a show of strength in response. | |
| “This time, if [the government] still doesn’t deploy soldiers,” wrote one person quoted in Foreign Policy, “it won’t be able to explain itself to its people.” Government censors responded fast to the surge of interest to delete all but the most bland official versions of that news from the heavily controlled domestic internet. | |
| Internet searches for Fan Jinghui were blocked on sites including the Twitter-like Weibo. But a monitoring tool at the University of Hong Kong found that before censorship, top searches including “hostage”, “IS”, “killed” were among the most popular. Just a couple of days after Fan’s death, in an apparent show of government resolve and strength, state media put out a report on a massive counter-terrorism operation that had killed 28 suspects after a two-month manhunt for the men behind a deadly attack on a coal mine. | |
| Updated at 3.53pm GMT | |
| 2.57pm GMT14:57 | 2.57pm GMT14:57 |
| Here’s a quick tally of the nationalities of those reportedly freed so far: | Here’s a quick tally of the nationalities of those reportedly freed so far: |
| That’s a total of 58 people out of 80 hostages reportedly freed. | That’s a total of 58 people out of 80 hostages reportedly freed. |
| Updated at 3.04pm GMT | Updated at 3.04pm GMT |
| 2.48pm GMT14:48 | 2.48pm GMT14:48 |
| Two Germans freed | Two Germans freed |
| Two German citizens have escaped the siege, according to Germany’s foreign ministry. | Two German citizens have escaped the siege, according to Germany’s foreign ministry. |
| FM #Steinmeier on #MaliAttacks: CrisisTaskForce convened. Embassy in close contact w/ sec. authorities. 2 Germans were able to leave Hotel. | FM #Steinmeier on #MaliAttacks: CrisisTaskForce convened. Embassy in close contact w/ sec. authorities. 2 Germans were able to leave Hotel. |
| 2.45pm GMT14:45 | 2.45pm GMT14:45 |
| A small team of US troops have been helping with efforts to rescue hostages, US Africa Command has confirmed. | A small team of US troops have been helping with efforts to rescue hostages, US Africa Command has confirmed. |
| USAFRICOM closely watching the situation in #Mali. Small team of U.S. Special Operations Forces assisting with hostage rescue efforts. | USAFRICOM closely watching the situation in #Mali. Small team of U.S. Special Operations Forces assisting with hostage rescue efforts. |
| Six US citizens are among the people who have been recovered from the hotel in Mali, Army Colonel Mark Cheadle told Reuters. | Six US citizens are among the people who have been recovered from the hotel in Mali, Army Colonel Mark Cheadle told Reuters. |
| Updated at 3.04pm GMT | Updated at 3.04pm GMT |
| 2.37pm GMT14:37 | 2.37pm GMT14:37 |
| French special forces have now arrived at the hotel, AFP reports, citing the French defence ministry. | French special forces have now arrived at the hotel, AFP reports, citing the French defence ministry. |
| #BREAKING French special forces reach Radisson Blu hotel in Mali where 125 guests, 13 staff are still being held hostage: defence ministry | #BREAKING French special forces reach Radisson Blu hotel in Mali where 125 guests, 13 staff are still being held hostage: defence ministry |
| A US military spokesman said six US citizens were among those “recovered” in the hotel, according to Reuters. | A US military spokesman said six US citizens were among those “recovered” in the hotel, according to Reuters. |
| Updated at 3.04pm GMT | Updated at 3.04pm GMT |
| 2.31pm GMT14:31 | 2.31pm GMT14:31 |
| 20 Indians evacuated | 20 Indians evacuated |
| As Malian broadcaster ORTM shows more pictures of hostages being freed, India’s foreign ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup has announced that all 20 Indian citizens staying in the hotel have made it to safety. | As Malian broadcaster ORTM shows more pictures of hostages being freed, India’s foreign ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup has announced that all 20 Indian citizens staying in the hotel have made it to safety. |
| Good news! All 20 Indians in the hotel in Bamako have been safely evacuated. Our Ambassador in Mali has confirmed. #MaliAttack | Good news! All 20 Indians in the hotel in Bamako have been safely evacuated. Our Ambassador in Mali has confirmed. #MaliAttack |
| Updated at 2.32pm GMT | Updated at 2.32pm GMT |
| 2.24pm GMT14:24 | 2.24pm GMT14:24 |
| US citizens 'might be present' in the hotel | US citizens 'might be present' in the hotel |
| US citizens could be among the hostages, according to US State Department spokesman John Kirby. | US citizens could be among the hostages, according to US State Department spokesman John Kirby. |
| We are aware U.S. citizens might be present Radisson Hotel in Bamako, #Mali. @USEmbassyMali working to verify this information #MaliAttacks | We are aware U.S. citizens might be present Radisson Hotel in Bamako, #Mali. @USEmbassyMali working to verify this information #MaliAttacks |
| Updated at 3.06pm GMT | Updated at 3.06pm GMT |
| 2.20pm GMT14:20 | 2.20pm GMT14:20 |
| Turkish Airlines says a sixth crew member has been freed from the hotel. A statement from the company said that one employee remains inside the hotel, AP reports. | Turkish Airlines says a sixth crew member has been freed from the hotel. A statement from the company said that one employee remains inside the hotel, AP reports. |
| Five crew members: a station chief, two pilots and two flight attendants were released earlier. | Five crew members: a station chief, two pilots and two flight attendants were released earlier. |
| Seven Algerians were also among the freed hostages, according to AFP. | Seven Algerians were also among the freed hostages, according to AFP. |
| #BREAKING Seven Algerians freed from Mali Radisson Blu hotel seized by gunmen: minister | #BREAKING Seven Algerians freed from Mali Radisson Blu hotel seized by gunmen: minister |
| Updated at 3.07pm GMT | Updated at 3.07pm GMT |
| 2.14pm GMT14:14 | 2.14pm GMT14:14 |
| Heavy gunfire was heard inside the luxury hotel as soldiers tried to free the hostages, a witness and security source told Reuters. | Heavy gunfire was heard inside the luxury hotel as soldiers tried to free the hostages, a witness and security source told Reuters. |
| “Security forces are operating inside and are clearing each floor bit by bit and freeing hostages who are in their rooms,” the security source said. “There are dozens, even around a hundred, still inside.” | “Security forces are operating inside and are clearing each floor bit by bit and freeing hostages who are in their rooms,” the security source said. “There are dozens, even around a hundred, still inside.” |
| Meanwhile, a US defence official has confirmed that US military personnel in Mali have been helping civilians to secure locations in the wake of the attack. | Meanwhile, a US defence official has confirmed that US military personnel in Mali have been helping civilians to secure locations in the wake of the attack. |
| About 25 American military personnel were in Bamako when Islamist gunmen stormed the hotel, the official said, adding that there had not yet been a formal request for US military assistance. | About 25 American military personnel were in Bamako when Islamist gunmen stormed the hotel, the official said, adding that there had not yet been a formal request for US military assistance. |
| Updated at 3.12pm GMT | Updated at 3.12pm GMT |
| 2.10pm GMT14:10 | 2.10pm GMT14:10 |
| Four Chinese hostages have been rescued, according to state broadcaster CCTV. | Four Chinese hostages have been rescued, according to state broadcaster CCTV. |
| #BREAKING 4 trapped Chinese nationals in #Mali hotel have been rescued, says a source at the Chinese embassy in Mali pic.twitter.com/Oh4A3BLUQi | #BREAKING 4 trapped Chinese nationals in #Mali hotel have been rescued, says a source at the Chinese embassy in Mali pic.twitter.com/Oh4A3BLUQi |
| 1.37pm GMT13:37 | 1.37pm GMT13:37 |
| US special forces are involved in trying to rescue the hostages in the hotel, according to CNN’s Jim Sciutto citing the US Africa Command. | US special forces are involved in trying to rescue the hostages in the hotel, according to CNN’s Jim Sciutto citing the US Africa Command. |
| Just in: US Special Operations forces assisting in hostage rescue at Radisson Hotel in Bamako #Mali - US Africa Command | Just in: US Special Operations forces assisting in hostage rescue at Radisson Hotel in Bamako #Mali - US Africa Command |
| Updated at 3.13pm GMT | Updated at 3.13pm GMT |
| 1.31pm GMT13:31 | 1.31pm GMT13:31 |
| The Foreign Office is advising people in Bamako to remain indoors and follow instructions from local authorities. | The Foreign Office is advising people in Bamako to remain indoors and follow instructions from local authorities. |
| In updated travel advice to Mali, it says: | In updated travel advice to Mali, it says: |
| The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the rest of Mali. | The FCO advise against all but essential travel to the rest of Mali. |
| There’s an ongoing incident at the Radisson hotel in Bamako. If you are in Bamako you should remain indoors and follow the instructions of the local authorities. | There’s an ongoing incident at the Radisson hotel in Bamako. If you are in Bamako you should remain indoors and follow the instructions of the local authorities. |
| The situation in Mali is still unstable. | The situation in Mali is still unstable. |
| You should maintain several days’ stock of food and water in case disturbances take place ... | You should maintain several days’ stock of food and water in case disturbances take place ... |
| There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnap, especially in areas north of Mopti. Further attacks are highly likely in northern Mali, though the threat exists throughout the country. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. | There is a high threat from terrorism, including kidnap, especially in areas north of Mopti. Further attacks are highly likely in northern Mali, though the threat exists throughout the country. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreigners. |
| Updated at 3.14pm GMT | Updated at 3.14pm GMT |
| 1.27pm GMT13:27 | 1.27pm GMT13:27 |
| Hotel owner says 138 people still in the building | Hotel owner says 138 people still in the building |
| Despite reports 80 of the 170 hostages have been freed, the owners of the hotel said it believes 138 people are still in the building. In its latest statement the Rezidor hotel group said: | Despite reports 80 of the 170 hostages have been freed, the owners of the hotel said it believes 138 people are still in the building. In its latest statement the Rezidor hotel group said: |
| We are closely following the hostage-taking incident that is taking place at the Radisson Blu hotel ... According to our latest information 125 guests and 13 employees are still in the building. | We are closely following the hostage-taking incident that is taking place at the Radisson Blu hotel ... According to our latest information 125 guests and 13 employees are still in the building. |
| Our highest concern is the safety of all our guests and employees in the hotel. We are in constant contact with the authorities there and will share further information with you when we have it. | Our highest concern is the safety of all our guests and employees in the hotel. We are in constant contact with the authorities there and will share further information with you when we have it. |
| Updated at 3.15pm GMT | Updated at 3.15pm GMT |
| 1.18pm GMT13:18 | 1.18pm GMT13:18 |
| It was the Guinean singer Sékouba “Bambino” Diabate who heard the attackers speaking English. | It was the Guinean singer Sékouba “Bambino” Diabate who heard the attackers speaking English. |
| He was among the 170 taken hostage in the hotel. Speaking to Reuters he said: | He was among the 170 taken hostage in the hotel. Speaking to Reuters he said: |
| “I heard them say in English ‘Did you load it?’, ‘Let’s go’. 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’. I wasn’t able to see them because in these kinds of situations it’s hard.” |
| Updated at 3.16pm GMT | Updated at 3.16pm GMT |
| 1.09pm GMT13:09 | 1.09pm GMT13:09 |
| Minusma, the UN mission in Mali, has confirmed that it is providing support to the Malian security forces at the hotel. | Minusma, the UN mission in Mali, has confirmed that it is providing support to the Malian security forces at the hotel. |
| @UN_MINUSMA en appui aux autorités #Mali(ennes) dans l'attaque terroriste de l'hôtel Radisson de #Bamako, #Mali. pic.twitter.com/jm6MFKof7y | @UN_MINUSMA en appui aux autorités #Mali(ennes) dans l'attaque terroriste de l'hôtel Radisson de #Bamako, #Mali. pic.twitter.com/jm6MFKof7y |
| 1.05pm GMT13:05 | 1.05pm GMT13:05 |
| Here’s footage from Malian state TV showing some of the hostages being freed. | Here’s footage from Malian state TV showing some of the hostages being freed. |
| 1.01pm GMT13:01 | 1.01pm GMT13:01 |
| Summary | Summary |
| Here’s how things currently stand: | Here’s how things currently stand: |
| Related: At least three dead in Mali after gunmen storm hotel | Related: At least three dead in Mali after gunmen storm hotel |
| Updated at 3.17pm GMT | Updated at 3.17pm GMT |
| 12.42pm GMT12:42 | 12.42pm GMT12:42 |
| One of the freed hostages said he heard the gunmen who attacked the hotel speaking English, according to Reuters. | One of the freed hostages said he heard the gunmen who attacked the hotel speaking English, according to Reuters. |
| Hostage freed from Radisson Blu in #Mali capital says he heard attackers speaking English. #MaliAttacks #Bamako | Hostage freed from Radisson Blu in #Mali capital says he heard attackers speaking English. #MaliAttacks #Bamako |
| 12.36pm GMT12:36 | 12.36pm GMT12:36 |
| France’s Gendarmerie Nationale has confirmed that special forces are on the way to Mali. | France’s Gendarmerie Nationale has confirmed that special forces are on the way to Mali. |
| ❗️ #Bamako Flash info : départ de personnels du #GIGN pour le #Mali pic.twitter.com/vwOZipXO28 | ❗️ #Bamako Flash info : départ de personnels du #GIGN pour le #Mali pic.twitter.com/vwOZipXO28 |
| 12.34pm GMT12:34 | 12.34pm GMT12:34 |
| Jonathan Bucks | Jonathan Bucks |
| One freed hostage who was hiding in his room as the attack took place, spoke to France 24. | One freed hostage who was hiding in his room as the attack took place, spoke to France 24. |
| He said: “The police and security forces helped us get out the building. There are still lots of people in there. I also saw bodies in the lobby, It was absolutely horrible.” | He said: “The police and security forces helped us get out the building. There are still lots of people in there. I also saw bodies in the lobby, It was absolutely horrible.” |
| He also told the French broadcaster that he believed the police operation was ongoing but gave no more details. | He also told the French broadcaster that he believed the police operation was ongoing but gave no more details. |
| 12.25pm GMT12:25 | 12.25pm GMT12:25 |
| The French broadcaster BFMTV has images of some of the 80 hostages being freed. | The French broadcaster BFMTV has images of some of the 80 hostages being freed. |
| VIDEO - Des otages libérés de l'hôtel Radisson #Bamako #Mali https://t.co/a22Pef7bC3 pic.twitter.com/QDsGRkFGNg | VIDEO - Des otages libérés de l'hôtel Radisson #Bamako #Mali https://t.co/a22Pef7bC3 pic.twitter.com/QDsGRkFGNg |
| 12.18pm GMT12:18 | 12.18pm GMT12:18 |
| Jonathan Bucks | Jonathan Bucks |
| French President Hollande has expressed his solidarity and support for Mali. | French President Hollande has expressed his solidarity and support for Mali. |
| He said: “I want to assure all Malians of our solidarity and support for them and I urge all French nationals who are in the affected to be vigilant at this time.” | He said: “I want to assure all Malians of our solidarity and support for them and I urge all French nationals who are in the affected to be vigilant at this time.” |
| Meanwhile, Liberation is reporting that around 40 elite French police officers have been sent to Bamako to help with the hostage situation. | Meanwhile, Liberation is reporting that around 40 elite French police officers have been sent to Bamako to help with the hostage situation. |
| Updated at 12.21pm GMT | Updated at 12.21pm GMT |
| 12.16pm GMT12:16 | 12.16pm GMT12:16 |
| Air France says 12 of its staff 'extracted' | Air France says 12 of its staff 'extracted' |
| Air France says 12 of its staff have been safely “extracted” from the hotel. | Air France says 12 of its staff have been safely “extracted” from the hotel. |
| #AirFrance confirme que ses 12 membres d'équipage à #Bamako ont été exfiltrés et sont en sécurité. pic.twitter.com/wh8LHA7ROi | #AirFrance confirme que ses 12 membres d'équipage à #Bamako ont été exfiltrés et sont en sécurité. pic.twitter.com/wh8LHA7ROi |
| 12.11pm GMT12:11 | 12.11pm GMT12:11 |
| Twenty Indian nationals are among the hostages being held, according to the Indian foreign ministry. | Twenty Indian nationals are among the hostages being held, according to the Indian foreign ministry. |
| “Our ambassador has confirmed that 20 Indians are held hostage at the hotel but they are alive,” spokesman Vikas Swarup told AFP. | “Our ambassador has confirmed that 20 Indians are held hostage at the hotel but they are alive,” spokesman Vikas Swarup told AFP. |
| #MaliAttack : Acc'g to current info there are 20 Indians staying in the hotel. Our Amb is continuously in touch with them & monitor'g sitn | #MaliAttack : Acc'g to current info there are 20 Indians staying in the hotel. Our Amb is continuously in touch with them & monitor'g sitn |
| 12.09pm GMT12:09 | 12.09pm GMT12:09 |
| The French president, François Hollande, says everything is being done to free the hostages, amid reports that French and US security services have been involved in an operation against the gunmen in the hotel. | |
| MORE: A second assault is in course in the #Radisson hotel, lead by US and French special forces. #Bamako #Mali - @libe | MORE: A second assault is in course in the #Radisson hotel, lead by US and French special forces. #Bamako #Mali - @libe |
| Updated at 3.55pm GMT | |
| 11.55am GMT11:55 | 11.55am GMT11:55 |
| Special forces enter hotel | Special forces enter hotel |
| Malian state TV claims 80 of the 170 hostages have been freed, Conflict News reports, as witnesses and a police source confirm that special forces have entered the hotel. | Malian state TV claims 80 of the 170 hostages have been freed, Conflict News reports, as witnesses and a police source confirm that special forces have entered the hotel. |
| MORE: Reports from Mali state TV that 80 hostages have been freed from hotel in #Bamako. https://t.co/3jL1b8uiXc | MORE: Reports from Mali state TV that 80 hostages have been freed from hotel in #Bamako. https://t.co/3jL1b8uiXc |
| “They’ve penetrated inside the hotel. The operations are under way,” a police source told Reuters. | “They’ve penetrated inside the hotel. The operations are under way,” a police source told Reuters. |
| Malian special forces enter Bamako Radisson Blu where Islamist gunmen holding hostages -Witness #Mali #Bamako | Malian special forces enter Bamako Radisson Blu where Islamist gunmen holding hostages -Witness #Mali #Bamako |
| Updated at 12.04pm GMT | Updated at 12.04pm GMT |
| 11.48am GMT11:48 | 11.48am GMT11:48 |
| Five Turkish Airlines staff freed | Five Turkish Airlines staff freed |
| Kareem Shaheen | Kareem Shaheen |
| Five Turkish Airlines staff members – a station chief, two pilots and two flight attendants – have been freed after being held hostage in the Radisson, writes Kareem Shaheen. | Five Turkish Airlines staff members – a station chief, two pilots and two flight attendants – have been freed after being held hostage in the Radisson, writes Kareem Shaheen. |
| Two TK flight attendants remain inside the hotel, according to a Turkish government official. | Two TK flight attendants remain inside the hotel, according to a Turkish government official. |
| At this stage, we do not know whether the crew members were released by the terrorists or rescued by the authorities. | At this stage, we do not know whether the crew members were released by the terrorists or rescued by the authorities. |
| 11.42am GMT11:42 | 11.42am GMT11:42 |
| The BBC reports that Guinean singer Sekouba Bambino was among those who escaped the attack on the hotel. | The BBC reports that Guinean singer Sekouba Bambino was among those who escaped the attack on the hotel. |
| It quotes him telling journalists:“I woke up with the sounds of gunshots and for me, it was just small bandits who came in the hotel to claim something. | It quotes him telling journalists:“I woke up with the sounds of gunshots and for me, it was just small bandits who came in the hotel to claim something. |
| “After 20 or 30 minutes, I realised these are not just petty criminals”. | |
| Parmi les otages relachés figure le chanteur guinéen Sékouba Bambino qui se trouvait à l'hôtel Radisson de Bamako. pic.twitter.com/cizG7OqJhA | Parmi les otages relachés figure le chanteur guinéen Sékouba Bambino qui se trouvait à l'hôtel Radisson de Bamako. pic.twitter.com/cizG7OqJhA |
| Sekouba Bambino sortant de l'hôtel Radisson ! pic.twitter.com/ObB1gXoOh4 | Sekouba Bambino sortant de l'hôtel Radisson ! pic.twitter.com/ObB1gXoOh4 |
| Updated at 3.59pm GMT | |
| 11.34am GMT11:34 | 11.34am GMT11:34 |
| At least seven Chinese tourist are caught up in the siege, according to the Xinhua state news agency. | At least seven Chinese tourist are caught up in the siege, according to the Xinhua state news agency. |
| At least 7 Chinese tourists among #hostages in Bamako, #Mali. (Cell phone video filmed by one Chinese hostage) https://t.co/e6NEwS2z78 | At least 7 Chinese tourists among #hostages in Bamako, #Mali. (Cell phone video filmed by one Chinese hostage) https://t.co/e6NEwS2z78 |
| 11.29am GMT11:29 | 11.29am GMT11:29 |
| A Malian military official has confirmed that at least three people are confirmed dead in the attack. | A Malian military official has confirmed that at least three people are confirmed dead in the attack. |
| Lt. Col. Diarran Kone told The Associated Press that the deaths were confirmed after gunmen stormed the hotel | Lt. Col. Diarran Kone told The Associated Press that the deaths were confirmed after gunmen stormed the hotel |
| Some 20 hostages were freed later in the morning and others managed to escape with the help of security forces, AP said. | Some 20 hostages were freed later in the morning and others managed to escape with the help of security forces, AP said. |
| The UN mission has confirmed that it has sent security reinforcements. | The UN mission has confirmed that it has sent security reinforcements. |
| 11.22am GMT11:22 | 11.22am GMT11:22 |
| If you have been affected by the siege, or have friends and family who are, we want to hear from you. Share your accounts, photos and videos – or any news tips that you’d like to send direct to our journalists – with GuardianWitness. | If you have been affected by the siege, or have friends and family who are, we want to hear from you. Share your accounts, photos and videos – or any news tips that you’d like to send direct to our journalists – with GuardianWitness. |
| This is an ongoing situation so please don’t share information that might put you, or your contacts, in danger. Please think about your security first when recording and sharing your content. | This is an ongoing situation so please don’t share information that might put you, or your contacts, in danger. Please think about your security first when recording and sharing your content. |
| You can also share with the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44 (0) 7867 825056 | You can also share with the Guardian via WhatsApp by adding the contact +44 (0) 7867 825056 |
| 11.18am GMT11:18 | 11.18am GMT11:18 |
| Mamadou Tapily a Guardian fixer in Bamako is outside the hotel where he says several ambulances and a convoy of UN vehicles has arrived. | Mamadou Tapily a Guardian fixer in Bamako is outside the hotel where he says several ambulances and a convoy of UN vehicles has arrived. |
| Military sources said three jihadis who stormed the building have been killed, but this cannot be confirmed, he said. | Military sources said three jihadis who stormed the building have been killed, but this cannot be confirmed, he said. |
| The hotel was attacked by a group of around six people in a 4x4 vehicle at 7am, Tapily was told. | The hotel was attacked by a group of around six people in a 4x4 vehicle at 7am, Tapily was told. |
| The area is now barricaded off by police. | The area is now barricaded off by police. |
| Ambulances have arrived to treat many wounded people, Tapily said. “Ambulances are making lots of evacuations. We have seen injured people being transported in cars,” he added. | Ambulances have arrived to treat many wounded people, Tapily said. “Ambulances are making lots of evacuations. We have seen injured people being transported in cars,” he added. |
| 11.02am GMT11:02 | 11.02am GMT11:02 |
| Jonathan Bucks | Jonathan Bucks |
| The office of Mali’s president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta tweeted that he is returning to Bamako to deal with the hostage situation after attending a conference in Chad | The office of Mali’s president Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta tweeted that he is returning to Bamako to deal with the hostage situation after attending a conference in Chad |
| Le Pdt #IBK qui se trouve à N'Djaména au Tchad pour le sommet du G5 Sahel écourte son séjour pour regagner Bamako dans les prochaines heures | Le Pdt #IBK qui se trouve à N'Djaména au Tchad pour le sommet du G5 Sahel écourte son séjour pour regagner Bamako dans les prochaines heures |
| MALI | L'Hôtel #RadissonBlu de #Bamako attaquée ce matin par des assaillants armés qui prennent en otage 170 personnes #AttaqueRadisson | MALI | L'Hôtel #RadissonBlu de #Bamako attaquée ce matin par des assaillants armés qui prennent en otage 170 personnes #AttaqueRadisson |
| 10.53am GMT10:53 | 10.53am GMT10:53 |
| Britain’s Foreign Office says it is “aware of the situation” and is in touch with the authorities in Mali. | Britain’s Foreign Office says it is “aware of the situation” and is in touch with the authorities in Mali. |
| We're aware of the situation in #Mali and are in close touch with the authorities following the attack on the #Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako. | We're aware of the situation in #Mali and are in close touch with the authorities following the attack on the #Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako. |
| 10.50am GMT10:50 | 10.50am GMT10:50 |
| China’s state news agency Xinhua has broadcast a 23 second video clip said to be filmed by one of the hostages. | China’s state news agency Xinhua 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 | Cell phone video filmed by Chinese tourist taken hostage in Bamako, #Mali. The Chinese national is among 170 trapped https://t.co/0QSaS5wMSs |
| 10.47am GMT10:47 | 10.47am GMT10:47 |
| There are conflicting reports about the response of the security forces. AFP says they have stormed the hotel, citing a minister. But Reuters says that special forces are only “at the scene”, with France providing logistic and intelligence support. | There are conflicting reports about the response of the security forces. AFP says they have stormed the hotel, citing a minister. But Reuters says that special forces are only “at the scene”, with France providing logistic and intelligence support. |
| #BREAKING: Mali security forces storming besieged Bamako hotel: minister | #BREAKING: Mali security forces storming besieged Bamako hotel: minister |
| 10.43am GMT10:43 | 10.43am GMT10:43 |
| 'Three killed' | 'Three killed' |
| At least three people - two Malian and one French - were killed in the attack, a UN official told CNN. | At least three people - two Malian and one French - were killed in the attack, a UN official told CNN. |
| The Guardian cannot confirm this report. | The Guardian cannot confirm this report. |
| 10.41am GMT10:41 | 10.41am GMT10:41 |
| What we know | What we know |
| You can read our latest story on the attack here. | You can read our latest story on the attack here. |
| Updated at 10.49am GMT | Updated at 10.49am GMT |