This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/burkina-faso-attack-capital-ouagadougou-hit-by-gunfire-a6815376.html

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Burkina Faso hotel attack: At least 20 dead after gunmen storm Hotel Splendide in capital Ouagadougou Burkina Faso hotel attack: At least 20 dead after gunmen storm Hotel Splendide in capital Ouagadougou
(about 1 hour later)
Gunmen have stormed a luxury hotel in the centre of Burkina Faso's capital city, taking hostages and killing at least 20 people, eyewitnesses and officials at the scene have said. Security forces were attempting late last night to take back a luxury hotel in the centre of Burkina Faso's capital city, that had been stormed by terrorist gunmen, who took hostages and killed at least 20 people, according to eyewitnesses and officials at the scene.
The director of the university hospital, who spoke to patients wounded in the attack at Hotel Splendide in downtown Ouagadougou late on Friday, said around 20 people have been killed.The director of the university hospital, who spoke to patients wounded in the attack at Hotel Splendide in downtown Ouagadougou late on Friday, said around 20 people have been killed.
"We have received around 15 wounded people. There are people with bullet wounds and people who are injured because of falls," said Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou's university hospital centre."We have received around 15 wounded people. There are people with bullet wounds and people who are injured because of falls," said Robert Sangare, director of Ouagadougou's university hospital centre.
The armed group have also taken an unknown number of hostages during the attack, a senior official with the national gendarmes said.The armed group have also taken an unknown number of hostages during the attack, a senior official with the national gendarmes said.
"It is continuing at this time. We are trying to know how many attackers they are to better coordinate our actions. Hostages have been taken. The operation could take several hours," an officer said, asking not to be named. The attempt to retake the hotel was reported on Twitter by Gilles Thibault, the French ambassador to Burkina Faso.
The country's foreign minister, Alpha Barry, told Reuters Special Forces have secured a perimeter around the hotel and await an order to begin an assault. The country's foreign minister, Alpha Barry, earlier told Reuters that Special Forces had secured a perimeter around the hotel.
Reports over Twitter suggest a cafe-restaurant opposite the hotel, which is popular with westerners, has also been targeted.Reports over Twitter suggest a cafe-restaurant opposite the hotel, which is popular with westerners, has also been targeted.
The gunmen were said to have fired in the air as they stormed the four-story hotel before security forces arrived.The gunmen were said to have fired in the air as they stormed the four-story hotel before security forces arrived.
An intense exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and police followed, according to a Reuters witness.An intense exchange of gunfire between the gunmen and police followed, according to a Reuters witness.
A journalist at the scene said US troops were also conducting a rescue mission at the hotel, CNN reports. The US Embassy in Ouagadougou tweeted: "We are closely following the situation downtown".A journalist at the scene said US troops were also conducting a rescue mission at the hotel, CNN reports. The US Embassy in Ouagadougou tweeted: "We are closely following the situation downtown".
Mr Barry said the government will not rule out calling for help from French special forces stationed in the country.Mr Barry said the government will not rule out calling for help from French special forces stationed in the country.
Several cars were ablaze outside the hotel, an Associated Press reporter near the scene on Friday said.Several cars were ablaze outside the hotel, an Associated Press reporter near the scene on Friday said.
A video, purportedly of the Hotel Splendide on fire. appears to show the flaming cars in the streets.A video, purportedly of the Hotel Splendide on fire. appears to show the flaming cars in the streets.
The French embassy in Burkina Faso have called the incident a "terrorist attack" and have urged people in the area to "go home".The French embassy in Burkina Faso have called the incident a "terrorist attack" and have urged people in the area to "go home".
Gilles Thibault, the French Ambassador to Burkina Faso, repeated the assertion on Twitter and has extended a curfew in the city from 11pm to 6am. Mr Thibault repeated the assertion on Twitter and has extended a curfew in the city from 11pm to 6am.
Mr Thibault also added an Air France flight from Paris to Ouagadougou was diverted on Friday night to Niamey, Niger.Mr Thibault also added an Air France flight from Paris to Ouagadougou was diverted on Friday night to Niamey, Niger.
The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across Africa's vast, arid Sahel region.The hotel is sometimes used by French troops with Operation Barkhane, a force based in Chad and set up to combat Islamist militants across Africa's vast, arid Sahel region.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) have said on it was responsible the ongoing attack, SITE Intelligence Group reported.Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) have said on it was responsible the ongoing attack, SITE Intelligence Group reported.
A senior member of the group called in December for Muslims in several countries, including Burkina Faso, to wage jihad.A senior member of the group called in December for Muslims in several countries, including Burkina Faso, to wage jihad.
AQIM, along with two other groups, also claimed responsibility for an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali, which killed 20 people in November.AQIM, along with two other groups, also claimed responsibility for an attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali, which killed 20 people in November.
Two militants killed 20 people from nations including Russia, China and the United States at the luxury hotel in Mali's capital on 20 November, before being killed by the security forces.Two militants killed 20 people from nations including Russia, China and the United States at the luxury hotel in Mali's capital on 20 November, before being killed by the security forces.
Burkina Faso has endured bouts of political turmoil since 2014 when veteran President Blaise Compaore was overthrown in a popular protest.Burkina Faso has endured bouts of political turmoil since 2014 when veteran President Blaise Compaore was overthrown in a popular protest.
Additional reporting by various agenciesAdditional reporting by various agencies