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Foreigners 'abducted' by Islamist militants in Algeria | Foreigners 'abducted' by Islamist militants in Algeria |
(35 minutes later) | |
Islamist militants in eastern Algeria are reported to have abducted several foreigners, in what the UK Foreign Office says is a "terrorist incident". | |
At least one person has been killed in the attack on an oil facility at the town of In Amenas, local media say. | |
It is unclear what nationalities were involved. | |
The oil giant BP says there has been an incident at the installation it runs in partnership with Norwegians and Algerians. | |
The abduction comes as French forces are preparing to attack Islamist militants in Algeria's southern neighbour, Mali. It is unclear if Wednesday's attack is linked. | |
The UK Foreign Office said it "was seeking clarification from oil companies working in the area as to whether they have personnel involved". | |
Early reports said five Frenchmen and a Japanese national had been seized, but a Western diplomat told the French news agency AFP those abducted included British and Norwegian staff. | Early reports said five Frenchmen and a Japanese national had been seized, but a Western diplomat told the French news agency AFP those abducted included British and Norwegian staff. |
The In Amenas gas field is a joint operation by BP, the Algerian state oil company, Sonatrach, and the Norwegian firm, Statoil. A Japanese engineering company is a contractor on the project. | |
The Japanese foreign ministry said it was gathering information on the incident. | |
The Algerian army is reported to have launched an operation to free the hostages. | |
Islamist militants in the region have in recent years seized a number of foreigners, mainly in Mali. Eight French nationals are currently being held across the region. | Islamist militants in the region have in recent years seized a number of foreigners, mainly in Mali. Eight French nationals are currently being held across the region. |