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Algeria hostages: Five Britons dead or unaccounted for Algeria hostages: Five Britons dead or unaccounted for
(35 minutes later)
Foreign Secretary William Hague says five Britons and one UK resident have been killed or are unaccounted for in the Algeria kidnap crisis.Foreign Secretary William Hague says five Britons and one UK resident have been killed or are unaccounted for in the Algeria kidnap crisis.
This is in addition to the one British fatality which had already been confirmed, he added.This is in addition to the one British fatality which had already been confirmed, he added.
Mr Hague also said the families of those concerned had been contacted. Prime Minister David Cameron said "The whole country shares my sympathy and concern" for those involved.
Earlier, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond blamed militants for the deaths of hostages amid reports that 11 captors had died in an army assault. "It is our priority now to get people home as quickly as possible and to look after the survivors," he added.
Prime Minister David Cameron was told in a phone call from his Algerian counterpart that the hostage crisis at the remote In Amenas desert gas facility had ended, Downing Street said. Mr Cameron said he was told in a phone call from his Algerian counterpart that the hostage crisis at the remote In Amenas desert gas facility had ended.
"There is no justification for taking innocent life in this way," he said.
"Our determination is stronger than ever to work with allies right around the world to root out and defeat this terrorist scourge and those who encourage it."
'Appalling and unacceptable''Appalling and unacceptable'
The families of those who had been taken hostage have been contacted, said Mr Hague.
He added: "We understand that the site is not yet fully safe because of hazards such as booby traps, and so they are still working on that.
"We've had a team in the vicinity today, led by our ambassador who went down from Algiers, they have been helping British nationals to get away from the area, working with other countries and co-ordinating with the Algerian authorities."
Earlier, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond blamed militants for the deaths of hostages following reports that 11 captors and seven hostages had died in an army assault.
Speaking before Mr Hague's announcement, Mr Hammond said the deaths were "appalling and unacceptable".Speaking before Mr Hague's announcement, Mr Hammond said the deaths were "appalling and unacceptable".
"We must be clear that it is the terrorists that bear sole responsibility for it.""We must be clear that it is the terrorists that bear sole responsibility for it."
In a statement, BP said of its employees at the site, 14 were now confirmed safe and secure. Two had sustained injuries, but these were not life-threatening.In a statement, BP said of its employees at the site, 14 were now confirmed safe and secure. Two had sustained injuries, but these were not life-threatening.
The British ambassador, Martyn Roper, along with a small consular and political team, travelled to In Amenas, the town close to the plant, to give consular support.
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 on Wednesday. A Briton and an Algerian reportedly died in that incident.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.The militants then took Algerians and foreign workers hostage at the complex, which is part-operated by BP.
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