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Hostages missing after Algeria raid on In Amenas plant Hostages missing after Algeria raid on In Amenas plant
(about 3 hours later)
An Algerian army operation to free hostages at a gas facility in the desert has left a number of Islamist militants and their captives missing.An Algerian army operation to free hostages at a gas facility in the desert has left a number of Islamist militants and their captives missing.
State TV said four foreign hostages had been killed in the raid. The militants had claimed to be holding 41.State TV said four foreign hostages had been killed in the raid. The militants had claimed to be holding 41.
Some hostages were freed, but the number of survivors was unconfirmed and UK officials said they were preparing for news of many British casualties.Some hostages were freed, but the number of survivors was unconfirmed and UK officials said they were preparing for news of many British casualties.
Al-Qaeda-linked fighters occupied the facility near In Amenas on Wednesday.Al-Qaeda-linked fighters occupied the facility near In Amenas on Wednesday.
During the Algerian military intervention on Thursday as many as 600 Algerians and four foreign hostages - two from Scotland, one from France and one from Kenya - were freed, state news agency APS reported.During the Algerian military intervention on Thursday as many as 600 Algerians and four foreign hostages - two from Scotland, one from France and one from Kenya - were freed, state news agency APS reported.
AFP news agency quoted officials as saying the army had not secured the whole site after Thursday's raid, adding that the facility was still being searched.AFP news agency quoted officials as saying the army had not secured the whole site after Thursday's raid, adding that the facility was still being searched.
The Irish government confirmed that one of its citizens was free. Five American hostages had survived and had left the country, US officials told ABC News.The Irish government confirmed that one of its citizens was free. Five American hostages had survived and had left the country, US officials told ABC News.
Japan said three of its nationals had been freed in the operation, but that 14 remained unaccounted for.Japan said three of its nationals had been freed in the operation, but that 14 remained unaccounted for.
Earlier, the militants reportedly said that at least 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers died, and that seven foreign hostages had survived.Earlier, the militants reportedly said that at least 34 hostages and 14 kidnappers died, and that seven foreign hostages had survived.
The militants said they had taken hostages in retaliation for French military intervention in neighbouring Mali.The militants said they had taken hostages in retaliation for French military intervention in neighbouring Mali.
Some workers were reported to have been freed or to have escaped before the Algerian raid.Some workers were reported to have been freed or to have escaped before the Algerian raid.
Algerian Communications Minister Mohamed Said Belaid said a "significant number of terrorists" were killed during the raid.Algerian Communications Minister Mohamed Said Belaid said a "significant number of terrorists" were killed during the raid.
He added: "Unfortunately, we deplore some deaths and some people wounded. We don't yet have the numbers," he said.He added: "Unfortunately, we deplore some deaths and some people wounded. We don't yet have the numbers," he said.
BBC political editor Nick Robinson says British ministers are still awaiting information from the Algerian government on the number of British dead, injured and missing.BBC political editor Nick Robinson says British ministers are still awaiting information from the Algerian government on the number of British dead, injured and missing.
Details of how the raid unfolded were slow to emerge.Details of how the raid unfolded were slow to emerge.
APS reported that the Algerian military, which had been surrounding the gas plant, had targeted two vehicles as they tried to escape from the site with an unknown number of people on board.APS reported that the Algerian military, which had been surrounding the gas plant, had targeted two vehicles as they tried to escape from the site with an unknown number of people on board.
Militants told local media that Algerian forces had opened fire from the air.Militants told local media that Algerian forces had opened fire from the air.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said he was told by his Algerian counterpart that Algerian authorities had tried and failed to find a solution to the stand-off on Wednesday night. "The Algerian prime minister said they felt they had no choice but to go in," he said.Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg said he was told by his Algerian counterpart that Algerian authorities had tried and failed to find a solution to the stand-off on Wednesday night. "The Algerian prime minister said they felt they had no choice but to go in," he said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron was informed that the raid was under way when he called the Algerian Prime Minister at 11:30 GMT, a spokesman said.British Prime Minister David Cameron was informed that the raid was under way when he called the Algerian Prime Minister at 11:30 GMT, a spokesman said.
Mr Cameron, who cancelled a key speech on Europe scheduled for Friday, made it clear that he would have preferred to have been told in advance, the spokesman added.Mr Cameron, who cancelled a key speech on Europe scheduled for Friday, made it clear that he would have preferred to have been told in advance, the spokesman added.
Japan's government protested against the raid, urging Algeria "put the highest priority on people's lives". The US said it was "seeking clarity" on what had happened.Japan's government protested against the raid, urging Algeria "put the highest priority on people's lives". The US said it was "seeking clarity" on what had happened.
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.
Mr Ould Kablia said they had entered Algeria from Libya, AFP reported.Mr Ould Kablia said they had entered Algeria from Libya, AFP reported.
Two people were killed when militants attacked the gas plant.Two people were killed when militants attacked the gas plant.
The Tigantourine gas facility is about 40km (25 miles) south-west of In Amenas, which is close to the Libyan border and about 1,300km (800 miles) south-east of Algiers.The Tigantourine gas facility is about 40km (25 miles) south-west of In Amenas, which is close to the Libyan border and about 1,300km (800 miles) south-east of Algiers.
BP operates the gas field jointly with Algerian state oil company Sonatrach and Norwegian firm Statoil.BP operates the gas field jointly with Algerian state oil company Sonatrach and Norwegian firm Statoil.
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