ANGALIA LIVE NEWS

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Algeria says military operation to free hostages ‘over’

The military operation to free hostages at a desert gas plant is now over, the Algerian state news agency reports.
Four foreigners were reportedly freed but up to 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers died in the operation against Islamic militants, according to APS.
The British government said it had been told the gas plant was still being searched and the number of casualties was still unconfirmed.

Al-Qaeda-linked fighters occupied the facility near In Amenas on Wednesday.

Algerian state television says four foreigners were killed in the operation by Algerian forces to liberate hostages held by militants in a remote natural gas complex.

British government sources have told the BBC that they are preparing for news of multiple British casualties.

BBC political editor Nick Robinson says ministers are still awaiting information from the Algerian govt on the number of British dead, injured and missing.

Hundreds of Algerian workers and some foreign workers were reported to have escaped during the military operation.

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