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Algeria hostage crisis: UK ambassador to fly to plant Algeria hostage crisis: UK ambassador to fly to plant
(35 minutes later)
The UK ambassador is to fly to a gas plant in Algeria amid reports that seven hostages and 11 hostage-takers have died in an Algerian army attack.The UK ambassador is to fly to a gas plant in Algeria amid reports that seven hostages and 11 hostage-takers have died in an Algerian army attack.
The ambassador, along with a small consular and political team, will be flying to In Amenas, the town close to the plant to give consular support.The ambassador, along with a small consular and political team, will be flying to In Amenas, the town close to the plant to give consular support.
As reports of the assault emerged, the foreign secretary said under 10 Britons were at risk or unaccounted for.As reports of the assault emerged, the foreign secretary said under 10 Britons were at risk or unaccounted for.
But William Hague said we should still "prepare ourselves for bad news". William Hague said we should still "prepare ourselves for bad news".
He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra.He was speaking after chairing a meeting of the government's emergency committee, Cobra.
Commenting on his words, BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall said it was possible that he did not know that a final assault by Algerian troops was taking place.Commenting on his words, BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall said it was possible that he did not know that a final assault by Algerian troops was taking place.
"Possibly that's something which - behind the scenes - Foreign Office officials and Downing Street officials are trying to clarify," our correspondent said."Possibly that's something which - behind the scenes - Foreign Office officials and Downing Street officials are trying to clarify," our correspondent said.
Earlier, Mr Hague said the crisis remained the UK's "top priority" until every British national was accounted for.Earlier, Mr Hague said the crisis remained the UK's "top priority" until every British national was accounted for.
Militants, who have held the site for four days, had told a Mauritanian news agency they had seven foreign hostages.Militants, who have held the site for four days, had told a Mauritanian news agency they had seven foreign hostages.
The hostage-takers initially attacked two buses carrying foreign workers before taking Algerians and foreign workers hostage at the complex, which is part-operated by BP. The hostage-takers initially attacked two buses carrying foreign workers on Wednesday. A Briton and an Algerian reportedly died in that incident.
The militants then took Algerians and foreign workers hostage at the complex, which is part-operated by BP.
'Glad to be out''Glad to be out'
A number of freed Britons were been pictured on Algerian TV, where one said he was impressed by Algerian soldiers who battled with the militants.A number of freed Britons were been pictured on Algerian TV, where one said he was impressed by Algerian soldiers who battled with the militants.
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 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, 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, 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."
Mr Strachan was interviewed on a bus alongside Darren Matthews, 29, from Teesside.Mr Strachan was interviewed on a bus alongside Darren Matthews, 29, from Teesside.
Mr Matthews said: "I am relieved to be going to see friends and family. I feel safe at the moment but I won't feel 100% happy until I'm back in the UK, when I am back with my family.Mr Matthews said: "I am relieved to be going to see friends and family. I feel safe at the moment but I won't feel 100% happy until I'm back in the UK, when I am back with my family.
"My heart goes out to the guys that are still there and hopefully everyone comes home safe because, at the end of the day, it's only work. No-one should have to go through that just for a job.""My heart goes out to the guys that are still there and hopefully everyone comes home safe because, at the end of the day, it's only work. No-one should have to go through that just for a job."
Another freed Briton, Martin Johnson from Todmorden, praised the Algerian forces. He said: "I think they did a fantastic job, I was very impressed with the Algerian army. I feel sorry for anybody who's been hurt."
And an unnamed Briton who was also freed said the "gendarmes did a fantastic job, kept us all nice and safe and fought off the bad guys. I never really felt any danger, to be honest".
Other Britons who have been freed include Mark Grant, from Grangemouth, and Stephen McFaul, 36, from Belfast.
Are you, or is someone you know, affected by the issues in this story? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you, or is someone you know, affected by the issues in this story? Send us your experiences using the form below.