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Algeria hostage crisis: Japan confirms two more deaths Algeria hostage crisis: Japan confirms two more deaths
(35 minutes later)
Japan has confirmed the deaths of two more of its citizens in last week's hostage siege in Algeria, raising the number of Japanese victims to nine.Japan has confirmed the deaths of two more of its citizens in last week's hostage siege in Algeria, raising the number of Japanese victims to nine.
One Japanese national is still missing. Japan is the foreign country to have suffered the heaviest confirmed loss of life during the Islamist militant attack on a Saharan gas plant.One Japanese national is still missing. Japan is the foreign country to have suffered the heaviest confirmed loss of life during the Islamist militant attack on a Saharan gas plant.
So far 69 people, including 39 foreigners, are thought to have died.So far 69 people, including 39 foreigners, are thought to have died.
Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar claimed responsibility for the raid.Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar claimed responsibility for the raid.
Heavily armed gunmen stormed the Tigantourine gas factory, which housed hundreds of foreign and Algerian workers, on 16 January.Heavily armed gunmen stormed the Tigantourine gas factory, which housed hundreds of foreign and Algerian workers, on 16 January.
Some 685 Algerians and 100 foreigners escaped or were freed during the four-day siege. Some 685 Algerians and 100 foreigners escaped or were freed during the four-day siege, which ended after Algerian special forces stormed the compound.
Among those held captive were employees of Japanese company JGC Corp, which provided engineering services at the site.Among those held captive were employees of Japanese company JGC Corp, which provided engineering services at the site.
'Precious human lives''Precious human lives'
Earlier this week, Japan said seven of its citizens were killed during the attack, while three more were still missing.Earlier this week, Japan said seven of its citizens were killed during the attack, while three more were still missing.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga confirmed two more bodies had now been identified.At a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga confirmed two more bodies had now been identified.
"Unfortunately, we have been able to confirm two more deaths," he said."Unfortunately, we have been able to confirm two more deaths," he said.
"It truly saddens us to learn that precious human lives were taken away. The use of violence cannot be tolerated for any reason. We firmly condemn acts of terror.""It truly saddens us to learn that precious human lives were taken away. The use of violence cannot be tolerated for any reason. We firmly condemn acts of terror."
He added that Japan would do everything in its power to determine the fate of the last missing citizen.He added that Japan would do everything in its power to determine the fate of the last missing citizen.
Meanwhile, Japanese officials have flown to Algeria to repatriate the victims as well as a number of hostages who survived the attack. The Japanese government has been highly critical of Algeria's decision to launch an attack on the militants without consulting other countries whose citizens were also being held hostage.
The Algerian ambassador in Tokyo was summoned over the incident as the hostage crisis was unfolding.
"Japan is strongly concerned about acts that put the lives of the hostages at risk, and it is regrettable that the Algerian government pressed military rescue operations," the foreign ministry said in a statement last Friday.
Japan has asked Algeria to investigate events at the gas plant and the circumstances under which people had died.Japan has asked Algeria to investigate events at the gas plant and the circumstances under which people had died.
"Algeria has promised to co-operate as much as possible," Mr Suga said."Algeria has promised to co-operate as much as possible," Mr Suga said.
Meanwhile, Japanese officials have flown to Algeria to repatriate the victims as well as a number of hostages who survived the attack.
The In Amenas gas plant is a joint venture between Algeria and foreign companies. Among the dead or missing are workers from Norway, the Philippines, Malaysia and Romania.The In Amenas gas plant is a joint venture between Algeria and foreign companies. Among the dead or missing are workers from Norway, the Philippines, Malaysia and Romania.
The siege ended after Algerian security forces launched a second assault on the plant, following reports that the hostage-takers had begun to execute their captives.
Of the 32 attackers, 29 were killed and three captured alive, the Algerian government said.Of the 32 attackers, 29 were killed and three captured alive, the Algerian government said.
The kidnappers claimed their attack on the gas plant was in retaliation for France's intervention in the war against Islamist militants in Mali. The kidnappers claimed their attack was in retaliation for France's intervention in the war against Islamist militants in Mali.
Algeria has rejected the claim, saying the attack on the gas plant had been planned for more than two months. Algeria has rejected this, saying the raid had been planned for more than two months.
Officials said the gunmen, thought to have travelled from northern Mali in all-terrain vehicles, came from several countries, including Canada, Mauritania, Egypt, Tunisia, Mali, Niger and Algeria itself. The gunmen, thought to have travelled from northern Mali, came from several countries, including Canada, Mauritania, Egypt, Tunisia, Mali, Niger and Algeria itself, officials said.
Their leader, Algerian Mokhtar Belmokhtar, is a former al-Qaeda commander who split from the movement and created his own Islamist group, known variously as the Signed-in-Blood Battalion, the Masked Men Brigade and the Khaled Abu al-Abbas Brigade. Their leader, Mokhtar Belmokhtar, is a former al-Qaeda commander who split from the movement and created his own Islamist group.