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Algeria crisis: Warnings of 'multiple UK casualties' Algeria crisis: Warnings of 'multiple UK casualties'
(about 1 hour later)
Officials are preparing for multiple British casualties after the Algerian hostage crisis, the BBC has learned. UK officials are preparing for multiple British casualties after the Algerian hostage crisis, the BBC has learned.
David Cameron said the country should prepare for bad news as he postponed a long-awaited speech on Europe. David Cameron said the country should prepare for "bad news" as he postponed a speech on Europe due on Friday.
Britons were among a group of foreign nationals taken hostage at a gas plant near In Amenas. One is confirmed dead, the fate of other hostages is unclear.Britons were among a group of foreign nationals taken hostage at a gas plant near In Amenas. One is confirmed dead, the fate of other hostages is unclear.
The operation by Algerian military to gain control of the site is over, but the number of casualties is unclear.The operation by Algerian military to gain control of the site is over, but the number of casualties is unclear.
Four foreigners were reportedly freed but others died, the state news agency reported.Four foreigners were reportedly freed but others died, the state news agency reported.
Algerian state television has reported that two Britons were among four foreigners killed in the operation. Algerian state television has reported that two Britons were among four foreigners killed in the operation. There has been no confirmation of this.
'Still being searched''Still being searched'
The BBC's political editor, Nick Robinson, said Whitehall sources had 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 Whitehall sources had said ministers were still awaiting information from the Algerian government on the number of British dead, injured and missing.
"It is feared that as yet unconfirmed reports of as many as 35 dead of all nationalities will prove to be correct," our correspondent said."It is feared that as yet unconfirmed reports of as many as 35 dead of all nationalities will prove to be correct," our correspondent said.
"Although the major military operation is over the British government has been told that the gas plant is still being searched to see if people are hiding or, if there are still groups of terrorists who have not yet been located," he said. "Although the major military operation is over, the British government has been told that the gas plant is still being searched to see if people are hiding or if there are still groups of terrorists who have not yet been located," he said.
A Briton and Algerian were confirmed dead on Wednesday, after kidnappers entered the plant. A Briton and Algerian were confirmed dead on Wednesday, after kidnappers had entered the plant.
Mr Cameron said the country faced "a very bad situation".Mr Cameron 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. "A number of British citizens have been taken hostage. Already we know of one who has died," he said.
"The Algerian armed forces have now attacked this compound. It is a very dangerous, a very uncertain, a very fluid situation and I think we have to prepare ourselves for the possibility of bad news ahead," he said."The Algerian armed forces have now attacked this compound. It is a very dangerous, a very uncertain, a very fluid situation and I think we have to prepare ourselves for the possibility of bad news ahead," he said.
UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is to cut short a visit to Australia due to the hostage crisis, while ministers are planning to make a statement to Parliament on Friday morning to update MPs. UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is cutting short a visit to Australia due to the hostage crisis, while ministers are planning to make a statement to Parliament on Friday morning to update MPs.
The BBC's deputy political editor, James Landale, said: "Officials say that the information coming out of Algeria remains incomplete.The BBC's deputy political editor, James Landale, said: "Officials say that the information coming out of Algeria remains incomplete.
"They say that the PM made the decision to postpone his speech in the Netherlands at tea time after a meeting of the emergency response committee Cobra and a phone call with the Algerian prime minister," our correspondent added."They say that the PM made the decision to postpone his speech in the Netherlands at tea time after a meeting of the emergency response committee Cobra and a phone call with the Algerian prime minister," our correspondent added.
Downing Street earlier said the prime minister had spoken to President Obama and they had agreed their priority was to establish the facts on the ground. Downing Street earlier said the prime minister had spoken to US President Barack Obama and they had agreed their priority was to establish the facts on the ground.
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".
NI man freed Belfast man freed
Algerian soldiers had been surrounding the facility near In Amenas that kidnappers occupied on Wednesday.Algerian soldiers had been surrounding the facility near In Amenas that kidnappers occupied on Wednesday.
The Algerian communications minister, Mohamed Said Belaid, said the operation "was successful in neutralising a large number of terrorists and freeing a large number of hostages".The Algerian communications minister, Mohamed Said Belaid, said the operation "was 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."
Militants had said they were holding 41 foreign nationals.Militants had said they were holding 41 foreign nationals.
The gas facility's part operator, BP, said earlier there were unconfirmed reports of casualties and of hostages being released or escaping. No 10 said Mr Cameron had not been informed of the operation in advance and learned of it only when he phoned his Algerian counterpart at 11:00 GMT.
No 10 said Mr Cameron was not informed of the operation in advance and only learned of it when he phoned his Algerian counterpart at 11:00 GMT.
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 had been freed and was safe.
Stephen McFaul, 36, who was travelling on an Irish passport, was being held along with other foreign nationals. 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".
His 13-year-old son, Dylan, has said he cannot wait to give his father "a big hug". Earlier, reports had incorrectly suggested a second hostage was from Northern Ireland.
Another hostage is also reportedly from Northern Ireland. The MP, Ian Paisley jnr, says he was called to the Foreign Office for a briefing about a constituent, a man from north Antrim who was travelling on a British passport. But the Foreign Office later told MP Ian Paisley Jnr that there had been a miscommunication within the department.
Meanwhile, the Algerian state media says that some hostages have escaped or been liberated, including two from Scotland, one from France and one from Kenya. He said: "I am completely relieved tonight to hear from the FCO [Foreign and Commonwealth Office] that there was confusion and a miscommunication within their department and there in fact is only one hostage from Northern Ireland, who is now safe."
Algerian state media reported that among hostages who had escaped or been freed were two from Scotland, one from France and one from Kenya.
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, a senior commander of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) until late last year.