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Algerian hostages: Scots speak of Algerian relief Algerian hostages: Scots speak of Algerian relief
(35 minutes later)
A number of freed Scots have spoken of their relief at being out of the gas plant in Algeria where militants are holding workers hostage. A number of freed Scots have spoken of their relief at being out of the gas plant in Algeria where militants were holding workers hostage.
As the siege at the gas plant enters its fourth day, militants told a Mauritanian news agency they have seven foreign hostages. They were speaking before reports came of 11 hostage-takers being killed as Algerian troops launched a final raid.
About 30 foreigners remain unaccounted for, including about 10 Britons. State news agency APS said seven hostages were summarily killed by their captors as the troops tried to free them.
The nationalities of the dead hostages are not known.
The militants had been involved in a stand-off since Thursday after trying to occupy the remote site.
APS has previously said 12 Algerian and foreign workers have been killed since rescue efforts began.
About 30 foreigners remain unaccounted for, including about 10 from the UK.
One of the freed hostages Alan Wright from Portsoy, in Aberdeenshire, has returned to the UK.One of the freed hostages Alan Wright from Portsoy, in Aberdeenshire, has returned to the UK.
Speaking to BBC Scotland, he said: "I'm back in the UK with my wife and looking forward to seeing the rest of my family once I get home and also thinking of all my friends not yet safe." Speaking to BBC Scotland earlier, he said: "I'm back in the UK with my wife and looking forward to seeing the rest of my family once I get home and also thinking of all my friends not yet safe."
Another man held hostage, Iain Strachan, 38, from Howwood in Renfrewshire, Scotland, said he was "very relieved to be out", adding: "Obviously we still don't really know what's happening back on site.Another man held hostage, Iain Strachan, 38, from Howwood in Renfrewshire, Scotland, said he was "very relieved to be out", adding: "Obviously we still don't really know what's happening back on site.
"So, as much as we're glad to be out, our thoughts are with colleagues who are still there at the moment.""So, as much as we're glad to be out, our thoughts are with colleagues who are still there at the moment."
He said the Algerian army's assistance had been "fantastic".He said the Algerian army's assistance had been "fantastic".
"I've never been so relieved as when they came and got us off site," he said. "We thank them very much for that.""I've never been so relieved as when they came and got us off site," he said. "We thank them very much for that."
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander, whose Paisley & Renfrewshire South constituency includes Howwood, said: "The whole of Renfrewshire feels huge relief that Iain made it out from In Amenas but our thoughts and prayers remain with those still being held and with their families.Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander, whose Paisley & Renfrewshire South constituency includes Howwood, said: "The whole of Renfrewshire feels huge relief that Iain made it out from In Amenas but our thoughts and prayers remain with those still being held and with their families.
"Over recent days I have been in constant contact with the Foreign Office where officials are working flat out to try and ensure the safe return of UK citizens. "Over recent days I have been in constant contact with the Foreign Office where officials are working flat out to try and ensure the safe return of UK citizens."
"The situation at the facility remains unclear, in what the government are still describing as an ongoing operation."
According to the state-run APS news agency 14 Algerian and foreign workers - including one Briton - have died since the crisis at the remote In Amenas desert gas facility began on Wednesday.
Militants initially attacked two buses carrying foreign workers before taking Algerians and foreign workers hostage at the complex.
Algeria said its armed forces attacked on Thursday as militants tried to move some of their captives from the facility, freeing 573 Algerians and about 100 of 132 foreigners.