DEVELOPING: Hostages Detained at Radisson Hotel in Western Africa (Updated)
The Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali’s capital city Bamako in Western Africa has come under siege this morning, as a reported 140 guests and 30 employees were being held hostage. According to CNN, at least three people have been killed in the attack, and early reports indicate that the fatalities are two Mali nationals and one French national.
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough noted that according to the AP, “10 gunmen stormed the hotel shouting ‘Allahu Akbar'” before opening fire on hotel security.
NBC News’Ayman Mohyeldin reported that there has not been confirmation regarding the presence of Americans in the hotel. While discussing the country of Mali, Mohyeldin continued, “Just this past March a militant group attacked a restaurant in the capital that killed at least five people — this is a country that has had a turbulent past, particularly with Al Qaeda affiliated rebels.”
NBC News’ Chris Jansing reported that hostages who could recite from the Quran were released. The Associated Press has been updated its Twitter feed as the developments have been reported:
Radisson hotel in Mali attacked; 170 hostages taken: https://t.co/3YLig9dHXS
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 20, 2015
BREAKING: Military official says at least 3 dead following attack on Mali hotel where hostages held
— The Associated Press (@AP) November 20, 2015
UPDATED 7:23 a.m. ET: Mali State TV has reported that 80 of the 170 hostages have been released. This from BBC News:
Eighty people are freed from #Bamako hotel where gunmen have taken hostages, Mali state TV reports https://t.co/uwLmeVlryb
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) November 20, 2015
Watch the above report from MSNBC. We will continue to update with information throughout the day as it becomes available.
[image via screengrab]
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