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Foreigners 'abducted' by Islamist militants in Algeria Foreigners abducted by Islamist militants in Algeria
(35 minutes later)
Algerian security officials say one person has been killed and several foreigners abducted in an attack on a gas facility at In Amenas in the east of the country. Algerian security officials say two people have been killed and several foreigners abducted in an attack on a gas facility near In Amenas in the east of the country.
Islamist militants allied to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) say they carried out the attack.Islamist militants allied to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) say they carried out the attack.
They claim to have seized six people. Their nationalities are unclear.They claim to have seized six people. Their nationalities are unclear.
The oil giant BP says a gas field it runs in partnership with Norwegians and Algerians was attacked.The oil giant BP says a gas field it runs in partnership with Norwegians and Algerians was attacked.
Six people, including two foreigners, are reported to have been injured in the raid.
The British Foreign Office confirms its nationals have been working in the area where a "terrorist incident is ongoing". But a spokesperson could not say whether British staff had been abducted.The British Foreign Office confirms its nationals have been working in the area where a "terrorist incident is ongoing". But a spokesperson could not say whether British staff had been abducted.
A Japanese contractor at the In Amenas field, JGC Corp, says Japanese staff have been seized, according to Japanese media. The Irish Foreign Minister, Eamon Gilmore, said one of its nationals had been abducted, adding that his government was "ready to use all the resources available to us to ensure that our citizen is released as soon as possible".
A Japanese contractor at gas facility, JGC Corp, says Japanese staff have been seized, according to Japanese media.
Early reports said five Japanese nationals and a Frenchman had been seized, but a Western diplomat told the French news agency AFP those abducted included British and Norwegian staff.Early reports said five Japanese nationals and a Frenchman had been seized, but a Western diplomat told the French news agency AFP those abducted included British and Norwegian staff.
The Algerian army has begun an operation to recover the hostages.The Algerian army has begun an operation to recover the hostages.
The In Amenas gas field is a joint operation by BP, the Algerian state oil company, Sonatrach, and the Norwegian state energy firm, Statoil.The In Amenas gas field is a joint operation by BP, the Algerian state oil company, Sonatrach, and the Norwegian state energy firm, Statoil.
The attack comes as French ground forces are preparing to engage Islamist militants in Algeria's southern neighbour, Mali.The attack comes as French ground forces are preparing to engage Islamist militants in Algeria's southern neighbour, Mali.
Algeria has been allowing French aircraft to use its air space to attack targets in Mali.Algeria has been allowing French aircraft to use its air space to attack targets in Mali.
The militants, who called themselves the Khaled Abul Abbas Brigade, said they had travelled from northern Mali to launch the attack. The Khaled Abul Abbas Brigade said it had carried out the attack, and had travelled from northern Mali to conduct the operation.
The militants are led by Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who used to be a senior commander of AQIM before setting up his own armed Islamist group last year after an apparent fallout with other militant leaders.
Islamist militants in the region have in recent years seized a number of foreigners, mainly in Mali. Eight French nationals are currently being held across the region.Islamist militants in the region have in recent years seized a number of foreigners, mainly in Mali. Eight French nationals are currently being held across the region.