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Algerian hostages: Scots speak of Algerian relief Algerian hostages: Eight Scots confirmed 'safe'
(35 minutes later)
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. The Scottish government has confirmed that eight Scots are "safe and secure" after the hostage crisis at a gas plant in Algeria.
They were speaking before reports came of 11 hostage-takers being killed as Algerian troops launched a final raid. It said it could not confirm names and final details on numbers of hostages with a Scottish connection as the situation was ongoing.
State news agency APS said seven hostages were summarily killed by their captors as the troops tried to free them. A statement said that there were some people with Scottish connections who were "unaccounted for".
The nationalities of the dead hostages are not known. State news agency APS has reported that the siege ended in bloodshed.
As reports of the assault emerged, the foreign secretary said fewer than 10 Britons were at risk or unaccounted for. It said Algerian troops killed 11 Islamist militants after they had killed seven hostages.
The hostages were summarily killed as the troops tried to free them, it said.
Foreign workers were among the hostages, but the nationalities of the dead are not known.
UK Defence Secretary Philip Hammond confirmed the crisis was over and that lives had been lost.
The militants had been involved in a stand-off since Thursday after trying to occupy the remote site.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.
On Friday, 573 Algerians and about 100 of 132 foreigners working at the plant were freed, Algerian officials said.
About 30 foreigners remain unaccounted for, including fewer than 10 from the UK.
The militants themselves said before the raid that they had been holding seven hostages.
Earlier, a number of Scots have spoken of their relief at being freed from the gas plant.
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 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."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.
"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."