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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". Algerian security officials say one person has been killed and several foreigners abducted in an attack on a gas facility at In Amenas in the east of the country.
At least one person has been killed in the attack on an oil facility at the town of In Amenas, local media say. Islamist militants allied to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) say they carried out the attack.
It is unclear what nationalities were involved. They claim to have seized six people. Their nationalities are unclear.
The oil giant BP says there has been an incident at the installation it runs in partnership with Norwegians and Algerians. The oil giant BP says a gas field it runs in partnership with Norwegians and Algerians was attacked.
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 British Foreign Office confirms its nationals have been working in the area where a "terrorist incident is ongoing". But a spokesperson could not say whether British staff had been abducted.
The UK Foreign Office said it "was seeking clarification from oil companies working in the area as to whether they have personnel involved". A Japanese contractor at the In Amenas field, JGC Corp, says Japanese staff have been seized, according to Japanese media.
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 Japanese nationals and a Frenchman 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 Algerian army has begun an operation to recover the hostages.
The Japanese foreign ministry said it was gathering information on the incident. The In Amenas gas field is a joint operation by BP, the Algerian state oil company, Sonatrach, and the Norwegian state energy firm, Statoil.
The Algerian army is reported to have launched an operation to free the hostages. The attack comes as French ground forces are preparing to engage Islamist militants in Algeria's southern neighbour, Mali.
Algeria has been allowing French aircraft to use its air space to attack targets in Mali.
The militants, who called themselves the Khaled Abul Abbas Brigade, said they had travelled from northern Mali to launch the attack.
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.