It’s reported that at least 27 people have died after jihadists entered the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali. The attack, in the country’s capital Bamako, started early in the morning and as the day went on shocking details started to emerge.
It’s believed gunmen entered the hotel and took over 100 hostages. It’s reported that some were released after they recited lines from the Koran.
A security operation by the military in Mali eventually ended the hostage situation around 4pm local time. Two of the gunmen are believed to have been killed. Some reports claim that the attack was in retaliation to France’s military intervention in Mali but this has not yet been confirmed.
Tonight France’s defence minister confirmed they were not aware of any French casualties, while the US said that the five Defence Department workers in the hotel at the time of the attack were all safe.
The Mirror spoke to one rescued hostage, Sekouba Diabate, who told the newspaper he hid in his room as the gunmen searched the building.
“We heard shots coming from the reception area,” he said. “I didn’t dare go out of my room because it felt like this wasn’t just simple pistols.The attackers went into the room next to mine. I stayed still, hidden under the bed, not making a noise.”
A security operation at the hotel is on-going and UN Peacekeepers are on the ground.