Update: 170 Workers Held Hostage As Some Are Released...(Details)

Earlier this morning, unknown gunmen shouted "Allahu Akbar" which means "God is Great" in Arabic as they stormed the Radisson Blu hotel - an upscale lodging with a swimming pool and spa in Mali's capital, Bamako.

The gunmen according to CNN, have taken 170 people hostage inside the Hotel. The hotel chain said two armed men have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees.

 

A witness identified as Amadou Keita, who works at a cultural center close by, said the men came in a diplomatic vehicle this Friday morning, firing as they entered the hotel and that gunshots went on for several long minutes.

Reuters news agency reports that the gunmen attacking the Radisson Blu hotel have released some hostages including those able to recite verses of the Koran.

AFP news agency also reports that Mali security forces have escorted two women from the hotel.

 

"A Chinese guest surnamed Chen told Xinhua via WeChat mobile app that he was among a number of Chinese guests trapped in the hotel," China's Xinhua news agency said in a brief English-language report.

A tweet from the office of Mali's president says that "Bamako's Radisson Blu hotel has been attacked this morning by armed assailants who are holding 170 people hostage".

                         

Malian soldiers with help from U.N. troops have the hotel surrounded. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the incident.

Sources: BBC Africa, CNN, Reuters, AFP