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Algeria crisis: Further UK casualties feared in Algeria Algeria crisis: Further UK casualties feared in Algeria
(35 minutes later)
UK officials are waiting to learn the fate of a number of British hostages after the Algerian military attacked a desert gas complex seized by militants.UK officials are waiting to learn the fate of a number of British hostages after the Algerian military attacked a desert gas complex seized by militants.
Many foreign nationals were among the hostages taken near In Amenas. One Briton was confirmed dead on Wednesday.Many foreign nationals were among the hostages taken near In Amenas. One Briton was confirmed dead on Wednesday.
David Cameron, who has postponed a major speech on Europe, warned of further possible "bad news".David Cameron, who has postponed a major speech on Europe, warned of further possible "bad news".
The BBC's Nick Robinson said sources had told him officials were prepared for "multiple" British casualties.The BBC's Nick Robinson said sources had told him officials were prepared for "multiple" British casualties.
The full details of the operation launched by the Algerian military on Thursday, a day after the gas plant workers were taken hostage, are still emerging.The full details of the operation launched by the Algerian military on Thursday, a day after the gas plant workers were taken hostage, are still emerging.
As many as 600 Algerians and four foreigners, including two Scots, were freed in Thursday's operation but others died, the state news agency reported. But reports suggest Algerian forces used helicopter gunships to attack the compound as hostages were being moved in vehicles around the site.
I am told that when the news came from the Algerian government that they had begun a military operation without notifying or consulting with other Western countries, including the UK, the reaction in the room - I'm told from someone who heard - was: "Please God, what are they doing?" As many as 600 Algerians and four foreigners, including two Scots, were freed but others died, the state news agency reported.
The reason for that I'm told was that the British government has offered the Algerian government advice on how to deal with a siege situation, either negotiations or a military solution. In the long and anxious hours since the Algerian government revealed it had begun military action, Whitehall officials have been trying to account for all the British hostages.
Because the feeling in London, and I am told in other capitals too, was the Algerian government did not have the expertise to deal with this. Some are known to be safe but late last night there were still concerns about the fate of up to 20 who, if not missing or in hiding, are feared to be injured or dead.
This morning in the Commons, MPs will hear a statement providing the latest information. It may also reveal the frustration felt by ministers whose offer of advice on how to handle a siege was shunned by the Algerians.
The reaction of one of those involved when they heard the news that helicopter gunships had attacked vehicles full of people was "Please God, what are they doing?" When the full scale of what has happened emerges public reactions may be even stronger.
'Still being searched' 'Still being searched'
Algerian state television reported that two Britons were among four foreign hostages killed, but there has been no confirmation of this.Algerian state television reported that two Britons were among four foreign hostages killed, but there has been no confirmation of this.
The British government was told that the military operation was over but that the gas plant was still being searched to see if people were hiding or if there were still groups of hostage-takers who had not yet been located. The British government was told the military operation was over but the gas plant was still being searched to see if people were hiding or if there were still groups of hostage-takers who had not yet been located.
Speaking before the military action ended, the UK prime minister said the country faced "a very bad situation".Speaking before the military action ended, the UK prime minister said the country faced "a very bad situation".
"A number of British citizens have been taken hostage. Already we know of one who has died," Mr Cameron said."A number of British citizens have been taken hostage. Already we know of one who has died," Mr Cameron said.
"It is a very dangerous... a very fluid situation and I think we have to prepare ourselves for the possibility of bad news ahead.""It is a very dangerous... a very fluid situation and I think we have to prepare ourselves for the possibility of bad news ahead."
Later, Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said: "Although details have yet to become final, I am afraid we should be under no illusion that there will be some bad and distressing news to follow from this terrorist attack." Later, Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt said: "I am afraid we should be under no illusion that there will be some bad and distressing news to follow from this terrorist attack."
'Anxious''Anxious'
BBC political editor Nick Robinson said ministers were still awaiting information from the Algerian government on the number of British dead, injured and missing.BBC political editor Nick Robinson said ministers were still awaiting information from the Algerian government on the number of British dead, injured and missing.
He said: "You saw in [Mr Cameron's] face, you heard in his voice, you could tell from the words just how anxious they are in Whitehall about further casualties.He said: "You saw in [Mr Cameron's] face, you heard in his voice, you could tell from the words just how anxious they are in Whitehall about further casualties.
"I am being told that they are prepared for what are being called multiple casualties. Early on in this siege there was talk, all of it unconfirmed, of as many as 35 dead from all nationalities.""I am being told that they are prepared for what are being called multiple casualties. Early on in this siege there was talk, all of it unconfirmed, of as many as 35 dead from all nationalities."
Our editor added that some British hostages were known to be safe, but he had been told up to 20 were still to be identified.Our editor added that some British hostages were known to be safe, but he had been told up to 20 were still to be identified.
"Some may still be missing, some... could still be hiding, others could be injured and not be properly identified, but sadly, too, there may be others who are dead.""Some may still be missing, some... could still be hiding, others could be injured and not be properly identified, but sadly, too, there may be others who are dead."
Mr Cameron had been due to make a long-awaited speech on the UK's future relationship with Europe in the Netherlands on Friday, but made the decision to postpone his speech after a meeting of the emergency response committee Cobra and a phone call with the Algerian prime minister.Mr Cameron had been due to make a long-awaited speech on the UK's future relationship with Europe in the Netherlands on Friday, but made the decision to postpone his speech after a meeting of the emergency response committee Cobra and a phone call with the Algerian prime minister.
No 10 said Mr Cameron had not been informed of the operation in advance and learned of it only when he had phoned his Algerian counterpart at 11:00 GMT on Thursday.No 10 said Mr Cameron had not been informed of the operation in advance and learned of it only when he had phoned his Algerian counterpart at 11:00 GMT on Thursday.
Foreign Secretary William Hague is cutting short a visit to Australia due to the crisis, while ministers are planning to make a statement to Parliament on Friday morning to update MPs. Ministers are planning to make a statement to Parliament later.
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said the reports of the "grave and tragic events" were "deeply concerning".Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said the reports of the "grave and tragic events" were "deeply concerning".
Belfast man freedBelfast man freed
Algerian soldiers had been surrounding the facility near In Amenas that hostage-takers occupied on Wednesday.Algerian soldiers had been surrounding the facility near In Amenas that hostage-takers occupied on Wednesday.
The Algerian communications minister, Mohamed Said Belaid, said the military operation had been "successful in neutralising a large number of terrorists and freeing a large number of hostages".The Algerian communications minister, Mohamed Said Belaid, said the military operation had been "successful in neutralising a large number of terrorists and freeing a large number of hostages".
"But unfortunately, and we are sorry to say, there were some deaths and injuries. We do not yet have a definitive figure.""But unfortunately, and we are sorry to say, there were some deaths and injuries. We do not yet have a definitive figure."
Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia said the kidnappers were Algerian and operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, a senior commander of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) until late last year. Algerian Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia said the kidnappers were Algerian and operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who was a senior commander of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) until late last year.
The militants had said they were holding 41 foreign nationals, believed to include British, Japanese, US and Norwegian citizens, in retaliation for French military intervention in neighbouring Mali.The militants had said they were holding 41 foreign nationals, believed to include British, Japanese, US and Norwegian citizens, in retaliation for French military intervention in neighbouring Mali.
They reportedly said that at least 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers died during the operation, and that seven foreign hostages had survived. Reports quote them as saying at least 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers died during the operation, and that seven foreign hostages had survived.
In a statement, the gas facility's part operator, BP, said its focus was "100% on the safety and welfare" of the workers and their families.In a statement, the gas facility's part operator, BP, said its focus was "100% on the safety and welfare" of the workers and their families.
"We are now beginning a staged and planned reduction in non-essential workforce," it said."We are now beginning a staged and planned reduction in non-essential workforce," it said.
Earlier, the family of a Northern Irish hostage said he had been freed and was safe. Earlier, the family of a Northern Irish hostage said he was safe.
Stephen McFaul, 36, from Belfast, had been travelling on an Irish passport. His 13-year-old son, Dylan, said he could not wait to give his father "a big hug". Stephen McFaul, 36, from Belfast, had been travelling on an Irish passport.
His brother Brian McFaul, described a phone conversation in which Mr McFaul had spoken to his wife of the ordeal, explaining: "He had explosives tied around his neck.
"He was being transported in a convoy of five vehicles when they came under attack. His vehicle crashed." It is thought he was then able to escape.
Reports of a second hostage from Northern Ireland proved incorrect.Reports of a second hostage from Northern Ireland proved incorrect.
The BBC understands at least one Scot who was being held is also safe.The BBC understands at least one Scot who was being held is also safe.
Mark Grant, from Grangemouth, is believed to be with the Algerian army. It is unknown if he was freed, rescued by Algerian forces, or managed to escape.Mark Grant, from Grangemouth, is believed to be with the Algerian army. It is unknown if he was freed, rescued by Algerian forces, or managed to escape.
Five American hostages had survived and had left the country, US officials were quoted as telling ABC News.Five American hostages had survived and had left the country, US officials were quoted as telling ABC News.
Have you, or someone you know, been affected by the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.Have you, or someone you know, been affected by the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.