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Friday 20 November 2015

Gunmen Take 170 hostages In Mali Hotel Attack


People run to flee from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali, Friday 20 November 2015
Gunmen have stormed a hotel in Mali and taken 170 people hostage in an apparent terror attack.
Around 10 gunmen entered the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital Bamako, shooting and screaming “Allahu Akbar”, which is Arabic for God Is Great. At least two private security guards were injured in the attack.

The owners of the hotel have said 140 guests and 30 employees are “locked in”.
“The Rezidor Hotel Group… is aware of the hostage-taking that is ongoing at the property today, 20th November 2015,” the company said in a statement.


“As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees.”
The statement added: “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.

“We do not have any further information and continue to closely monitor the situation.”
A member of staff who gave his name as Tamba Diarra said over the phone the attackers used grenades in the assault.

Reports of gunfire surfaced on Friday morning on social media, although a defence ministry adviser said it was not clear what had happened.
Following a military coup in 2012, Islamic extremists took control of northern Mali, prompting a French-led military intervention the following year.

The extremists were scattered from northern towns and cities, but the north remains insecure and militant attacks have extended farther south this year.
In March masked gunmen shot up a Bamako restaurant popular with foreigners, killing five people.
About 1,000 French troops remain in the country.

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