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Plymouth man rescued in Algeria hostage crisis Plymouth man rescued in Algeria hostage crisis
(35 minutes later)
The family of a man from Plymouth who survived the Algeria hostage crisis has confirmed that he is safe.The family of a man from Plymouth who survived the Algeria hostage crisis has confirmed that he is safe.
Allen McCloud, 53, was one of 22 Britons who survived the crisis and are back in the UK.Allen McCloud, 53, was one of 22 Britons who survived the crisis and are back in the UK.
Mr McCloud's brother, Malcolm, told the BBC the family was "very relieved that Allen is now safe".Mr McCloud's brother, Malcolm, told the BBC the family was "very relieved that Allen is now safe".
Three Britons are confirmed to have died and three more were unaccounted for after the crisis, Prime Minister David Cameron said. Three Britons are confirmed to have died and three more were believed dead after the crisis, Prime Minister David Cameron said.
The crisis started after hostage-takers attacked a gas plant at Tigantourine, near In Amenas, in the Sahara desert on Wednesday 16 January, Algerian officials said.The crisis started after hostage-takers attacked a gas plant at Tigantourine, near In Amenas, in the Sahara desert on Wednesday 16 January, Algerian officials said.
A military operation to retake the plant ended with the deaths of 32 Islamist kidnappers and at least 23 hostages over the course of the crisis, Algerian ministers said.A military operation to retake the plant ended with the deaths of 32 Islamist kidnappers and at least 23 hostages over the course of the crisis, Algerian ministers said.
'Lack of information''Lack of information'
By Saturday afternoon, 685 Algerian workers at the plant and 107 foreign workers had been freed, Algerian state media said.By Saturday afternoon, 685 Algerian workers at the plant and 107 foreign workers had been freed, Algerian state media said.
Seven hostages were killed by their captors in the final assault as troops tried to free them on Saturday, according to state news agency APS.Seven hostages were killed by their captors in the final assault as troops tried to free them on Saturday, according to state news agency APS.
Malcolm McClould said: "We are all very relieved that Allen is now safe. It's been a long, stressful four days for the family."Malcolm McClould said: "We are all very relieved that Allen is now safe. It's been a long, stressful four days for the family."
But he went on to criticise the British authorities and for BP and Orion for failing to keep their father, who lives in Thailand, informed. But he went on to criticise the British authorities, fuel company BP and recruitment company Orion for failing to keep their father, who lives in Thailand, informed.
He said: "None of these fed any information, despite being told he would be the first to know.He said: "None of these fed any information, despite being told he would be the first to know.
"The lack of information from all the relevant sources was very poor. We were kept up to date from friends who worked in the oil and gas industry and the news.""The lack of information from all the relevant sources was very poor. We were kept up to date from friends who worked in the oil and gas industry and the news."
He added: "Devon and Cornwall Police were very supportive and helpful, so a big thank you to them.He added: "Devon and Cornwall Police were very supportive and helpful, so a big thank you to them.
"Our thoughts are now with the other family's who were not so lucky as us.""Our thoughts are now with the other family's who were not so lucky as us."
The British survivors flew back to the UK on government and BP chartered flights overnight and are being reunited with their families, Foreign Secretary William Hague said.The British survivors flew back to the UK on government and BP chartered flights overnight and are being reunited with their families, Foreign Secretary William Hague said.