This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21085590

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Algeria siege: 'Around 30' hostages unaccounted for Algeria siege: 'Around 30' hostages unaccounted for
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of hostages have been freed from militants at an Algerian gas facility, state media say, but about 30 foreigners are still unaccounted for.Hundreds of hostages have been freed from militants at an Algerian gas facility, state media say, but about 30 foreigners are still unaccounted for.
State-run APS news agency said those freed at the In Amenas installation included 573 Algerians and 'around 100' of 132 foreign workers. State-run APS news agency said 573 Algerians and 'around 100' of 132 foreign workers were freed at the In Amenas facility.
The militants remained holed up at the site, APS said. About 10 Britons are thought to be still held.The militants remained holed up at the site, APS said. About 10 Britons are thought to be still held.
At least four foreign workers died when troops moved in on Thursday. The agency says 12 workers died since a rescue operation began on Thursday.
The 12 included Algerians and foreigners. Eighteen of the hostage takers were also "put out of action", APS said, citing a "provisional" total.
A "comprehensive total" of the hostages still held was not available and some of them had taken refuge at various points around the site, a security source told APS earlier.A "comprehensive total" of the hostages still held was not available and some of them had taken refuge at various points around the site, a security source told APS earlier.
Algerians are following the hostage crisis extremely closely.Algerians are following the hostage crisis extremely closely.
Beyond the human cost, people here are already talking about serious implications for the country's economy.Beyond the human cost, people here are already talking about serious implications for the country's economy.
The Islamist fighters hit an extremely sensitive target - hydrocarbons. Petrol and gas are Algeria's economic mainstays, accounting for 98% of export receipts.The Islamist fighters hit an extremely sensitive target - hydrocarbons. Petrol and gas are Algeria's economic mainstays, accounting for 98% of export receipts.
The attack on In Amenas could have a serious impact on Algeria's oil sector, by making firms reconsider their presence in the Algerian desert. This is the first time there has been such a big attack on a gas facility since Algeria's civil war in the 1990s.The attack on In Amenas could have a serious impact on Algeria's oil sector, by making firms reconsider their presence in the Algerian desert. This is the first time there has been such a big attack on a gas facility since Algeria's civil war in the 1990s.
At the time, foreigners fled Algeria to escape the campaign of attacks and assassinations carried out by the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and other groups.At the time, foreigners fled Algeria to escape the campaign of attacks and assassinations carried out by the Armed Islamic Group (GIA) and other groups.
Some countries moved their embassies to Tunisia. After the dramatic hijacking of an Air France Airbus in December 1996, Europeans airlines also pulled out of Algeria. For many years, it was too dangerous for foreign journalists to be based in the country. After the latest events, Algerians fear a return to these bad old days.Some countries moved their embassies to Tunisia. After the dramatic hijacking of an Air France Airbus in December 1996, Europeans airlines also pulled out of Algeria. For many years, it was too dangerous for foreign journalists to be based in the country. After the latest events, Algerians fear a return to these bad old days.
The agency had previously issued a less precise total of freed foreign hostages, saying "more than half" of the 132 had been liberated.The agency had previously issued a less precise total of freed foreign hostages, saying "more than half" of the 132 had been liberated.
The source said special forces were seeking a "peaceful end" to the crisis.The source said special forces were seeking a "peaceful end" to the crisis.
The installation had been put out of action to avoid the risk of an explosion, the state news agency reported.
'No hiding place'
The UK Foreign Office has refused to confirm the latest figures released by APS.The UK Foreign Office has refused to confirm the latest figures released by APS.
Japanese officials were quoted as saying that at least 14 Japanese nationals were still missing. At least three managed to escape.Japanese officials were quoted as saying that at least 14 Japanese nationals were still missing. At least three managed to escape.
Norway said eight of its nationals were currently unaccounted for, while five escaped.Norway said eight of its nationals were currently unaccounted for, while five escaped.
French Interior Minister Manuel Valls said two French workers were safe. It was unclear if another two were involved, he added.French Interior Minister Manuel Valls said two French workers were safe. It was unclear if another two were involved, he added.
One Irish citizen, an Austrian and five Americans have been freed, according to officials. One Irish citizen, an Austrian and five Americans have been freed, according to officials. The US State Department confirmed that there were still Americans being held at the site.
Responding to reports that the kidnappers had suggested a swap of the hostages for prisoners in US jails, US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said: "The United States does not negotiate with terrorists."
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that "we are not going to allow them to have a hiding place from which to conduct these terrorist acts".
French national Alexandre Berceaux, who worked for CIS Catering, told French media he had hidden under the bed in his room for 40 hours before being rescued.French national Alexandre Berceaux, who worked for CIS Catering, told French media he had hidden under the bed in his room for 40 hours before being rescued.
The installation had been put out of action to avoid the risk of an explosion, the state news agency reported.
Meanwhile, BP said on Friday that hundreds of workers from international oil companies had been evacuated from Algeria on Thursday and that many more would follow.Meanwhile, BP said on Friday that hundreds of workers from international oil companies had been evacuated from Algeria on Thursday and that many more would follow.
On Friday morning, a spokesman for the group thought to be behind the attack told the Mauritanian ANI agency that it would carry out further operations.On Friday morning, a spokesman for the group thought to be behind the attack told the Mauritanian ANI agency that it would carry out further operations.
Algeria has yet to give precise casualty figures from Thursday's rescue attempt.Algeria has yet to give precise casualty figures from Thursday's rescue attempt.
APS cited local officials as saying two Britons and two Filipinos were killed.APS cited local officials as saying two Britons and two Filipinos were killed.
Two others, a Briton and an Algerian, died on Wednesday when the militants ambushed a bus that was taking foreign workers at the facility to the local airport.Two others, a Briton and an Algerian, died on Wednesday when the militants ambushed a bus that was taking foreign workers at the facility to the local airport.
A spokesman for the militants told the ANI agency - which has received several messages from the kidnappers - that 35 hostages and 15 militants had been killed in Thursday's operation. One Algerian official said the figures were "exaggerated".A spokesman for the militants told the ANI agency - which has received several messages from the kidnappers - that 35 hostages and 15 militants had been killed in Thursday's operation. One Algerian official said the figures were "exaggerated".
The In Amenas gas field is operated by the Algerian state oil company, Sonatrach, along with the British oil company BP and Norway's Statoil.The In Amenas gas field is operated by the Algerian state oil company, Sonatrach, along with the British oil company BP and Norway's Statoil.
It is situated at Tigantourine, about 40km (25 miles) south-west of the town of In Amenas and 1,300km (800 miles) south-east of Algiers.It is situated at Tigantourine, about 40km (25 miles) south-west of the town of In Amenas and 1,300km (800 miles) south-east of Algiers.
On Friday, UK Prime Minister David Cameron told Parliament that he had been told by his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmalek Sellal, that troops were "still pursuing terrorists and possibly some of the hostages".On Friday, UK Prime Minister David Cameron told Parliament that he had been told by his Algerian counterpart, Abdelmalek Sellal, that troops were "still pursuing terrorists and possibly some of the hostages".
Later, a British plane carrying an emergency deployment team arrived at an airstrip at Hassi Messaoud, about 280 miles (450km) from the BP plant.Later, a British plane carrying an emergency deployment team arrived at an airstrip at Hassi Messaoud, about 280 miles (450km) from the BP plant.
It is understood this was the closest the Algerian authorities would allow the plane to land.It is understood this was the closest the Algerian authorities would allow the plane to land.
Despite requests for communication and pleas to consider the hostages' safety, the UK, Japan and US said they had not been told in advance about the military assault.Despite requests for communication and pleas to consider the hostages' safety, the UK, Japan and US said they had not been told in advance about the military assault.
A statement purporting to come from the kidnappers says the raid was carried out in retaliation for the French intervention against Islamist groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), in neighbouring Mali.A statement purporting to come from the kidnappers says the raid was carried out in retaliation for the French intervention against Islamist groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), in neighbouring Mali.
But BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says the kidnapping was a complex operation which is unlikely to have been planned and carried out since the surprising French intervention in Mali last Friday.But BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera says the kidnapping was a complex operation which is unlikely to have been planned and carried out since the surprising French intervention in Mali last Friday.
Algerian officials said the militants were operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who was a senior AQIM commander until late last year.Algerian officials said the militants were operating under orders from Mokhtar Belmokhtar, who was a senior AQIM commander until late last year.
On Friday, ANI quoted sources from Belmokhtar's group as saying that they wanted to exchange their American captives for two high-profile detainees in American jails.On Friday, ANI quoted sources from Belmokhtar's group as saying that they wanted to exchange their American captives for two high-profile detainees in American jails.
They are the Egyptian Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, convicted over the 1993 World Trade Center bombing in New York, and Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted in 2010 of attempting to kill US military personnel.They are the Egyptian Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman, convicted over the 1993 World Trade Center bombing in New York, and Pakistani scientist Aafia Siddiqui, who was convicted in 2010 of attempting to kill US military personnel.
How the hostage crisis unfolded
  1. Bus attack: 0500 local time 16 January: Heavily armed gunmen attack two buses carrying gas field workers towards In Amenas airfield. A Briton and an Algerian die in the fighting.
  2. Hostages taken: The militants drive to the installation at Tigantourine and take Algerian and foreign workers hostage in the living area and the main gas facility at the complex.
  3. Army surround complex: Security forces and the Algerian army surround the hostage-takers. Western leaders, including the UK's David Cameron, urge Algeria to consult them before taking action.
  4. Army attacks: 1200 (1300 GMT) 17 January: Algerian forces attack as militants try to move some of their captives from the facility. Reports say some hostages escape, but others are killed.
  5. Response: Full details of how the situation has been resolved is not clear, with the Algerians saying they are still pursuing the militants. Mr Cameron says the number of UK personnel at risk was fewer than 30.
  1. Bus attack: 0500 local time 16 January: Heavily armed gunmen attack two buses carrying gas field workers towards In Amenas airfield. A Briton and an Algerian die in the fighting.
  2. Hostages taken: The militants drive to the installation at Tigantourine and take Algerian and foreign workers hostage in the living area and the main gas facility at the complex.
  3. Army surround complex: Security forces and the Algerian army surround the hostage-takers. Western leaders, including the UK's David Cameron, urge Algeria to consult them before taking action.
  4. Army attacks: 1200 (1300 GMT) 17 January: Algerian forces attack as militants try to move some of their captives from the facility. Reports say some hostages escape, but others are killed.
  5. Response: Full details of how the situation has been resolved is not clear, with the Algerians saying they are still pursuing the militants. Mr Cameron says the number of UK personnel at risk was fewer than 30.
Have you, or someone you know, been affected by the issues raised in this story? Send us your comments using the form below.