BREAKING: 35 hostages and 15 hostage takers killed in Algeria as they tried to move from one plant location to another.
—
Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) January 17, 2013Al-Jazeera and the Associated Press are reporting that 35 foreign hostages held at a natural gas site and 15 captors died in an Algerian military strike.
BREAKING: Militants: Algerian copter attack kills 35 hostages and 15 kidnappers in Sahara standoff—
The Associated Press (@AP) January 17, 2013
Islamist militants have told a Mauritanian news outlet that Algerian military helicopters strafed the gas complex where they are holding hostages, killing 35 of the foreigners and 15 of the kidnappers.
Grain of salt: The report is based on an interview with militant Islamists.
Very confusing situation with Algeria. Reports on hostages killed come from a Mauritanian news agency's interview with a militant…—
Iain Martin (@_IainMartin) January 17, 2013
Al Jazeera is sourcing its reports on hostages deaths in Algeria to the "group holding the hostages." aje.me/Uwj1qC—
Jim Roberts (@nytjim) January 17, 2013
Reuters reports that 34 hostages were killed.
Reports say many hostages killed in Algeria siege reut.rs/13F7UR6—
Reuters Top News (@Reuters) January 17, 2013
Earlier reports suggested that 20 hostages, including Americans, had escaped.
Great news! RT @theRightSphere: Report: Hostages Being Held In Algeria Have Escaped – bit.ly/YbfToR #news #tcot #p2 #teaparty—
Tommy (@FirstTeamTommy) January 17, 2013
Other outlets are working to confirm the attack.
True? We're working it. @AP Militants: Algerian copter attack kills 35 hostages and 15 kidnappers in Sahara standoff.—
Bill Hemmer (@BillHemmer) January 17, 2013
Note of caution: Seeing skepticism about report (via AP, Reuters) that hostages, kidnappers were killed in Algeria. WSJ working to confirm.—
Liz Heron (@lheron) January 17, 2013
Twitchy will monitor this developing story and update as additional details become available.
Update:
Algeria Foreign Ministry DENIES bombing gas installation where foreign hostages being held; calls report "complete fantasy"—
(@RAGreeneCNN) January 17, 2013
BREAKING: UK @foreignoffice says "Algerian authorities have confirmed there is an ongoing operation." Won't say anything else—
(@RAGreeneCNN) January 17, 2013
The story out of Algeria continues to unfold, with many conflicting and unconfirmed reports:
ALGERIA: Some Algerian media reporting Army now in complete control of hostage-taking location after assault, others say NO assault yet.—
StoryfulPro (@storyfulpro) January 17, 2013
ALGERIA: Most Algerian news agencies reporting an Algerian military action is underway but information on casualties or "escape" unconfirmed—
StoryfulPro (@storyfulpro) January 17, 2013
The confusion continues:
Snr US official tells me situation remains unclear in Algeria. They are trying to get clarity but just don't know anything for sure—
Martha Raddatz (@MarthaRaddatz) January 17, 2013
Some great news if true:
Reports from Algeria say US hostages are alive following apparent skirmish.—
PETER MAER (@petermaercbs) January 17, 2013
The latest numbers:
[Update] Latest from Reuters on Algerian situation: Six hostages, 8 kidnappers killed in siege; 7 still held—
Andrew Hart (@hartpandrew) January 17, 2013
ALGERIA: APS news agency in Algeria reports 4 foreign hostages have been rescued, ANI quotes militants as saying 7 others "still alive"—
StoryfulPro (@storyfulpro) January 17, 2013
One hostage’s family tells the BBC he has been freed:
West Belfast hostage in Algeria,Stephen McFaul, has been freed- he has spoken to his wife.—
BBC News NI (@bbcnireland) January 17, 2013
The White House is on it.
UPDATE: White House convening interagency meeting about #Algeria situation – @eliselabottcnn—
NewsBreaker (@newsbreaker) January 17, 2013
Just before 11 a.m. ET, reports surfaced of an explosion.
Sky Sources: a large explosion heard at Algeria gas complex, away from accommodation block—
Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) January 17, 2013
.@CBSNews Correspondent David Martin: a US drone has arrived over the Algerian gas plant giving the US its first look at what is happening.—
Charlie Kaye (@CharlieKayeCBS) January 17, 2013
From Prime Minister David Cameron:
RT @number10press: #Algeria situation remains very serious & difficult. PM has spoken to Obama and Hollande. @WhiteHouse—
UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) January 17, 2013
* * *
White House press secretary Jay Carney was asked about Algeria during today’s briefing.
Carney: “The best information we have at this time indicates that Americans are among the hostages.”—
Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 17, 2013
Carney: “We are seeking clarity from the government of Algeria”—
Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 17, 2013
Carney: “We’re in contact with Algerian authorities and our international partners”—
Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 17, 2013
Carney says US hasn’t been able to confirm al Qaeda links to Algerian hostage-takers—
Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) January 17, 2013
Gasp! The White House is using the T-word.
White House: Condewmn in strongest terms terrorist attack on BP site…closely monitoring situation…in contact with Algerian authorities—
Dan Robinson (@DanWHouse) January 17, 2013
Reuters: White House condemns "terrorist attack" on gas plant in Algeria – bit.ly/USxxHN—
Matthew Keys (@TheMatthewKeys) January 17, 2013
More on the unfolding situation:
#Hollande says #Algerian hostage situation unfolding in a "dramatic way."—
Grainne McCarthy (@grainnemcc) January 17, 2013
As precautionary measure amid hostage crisis, #BP is evacuating group of non-essential workers out of #Algeria.—
Grainne McCarthy (@grainnemcc) January 17, 2013
There are still hostages being held.
ALGERIA: From briefing / @7our Confirmed. Military assault still ongoing. There is still a group of jihadists holding hostages.—
StoryfulPro (@storyfulpro) January 17, 2013
* * *
Reuters is reporting Thursday evening that 30 hostages and 11 of their captors are dead in the siege. Some survivors are en route to London on a flight chartered by BP.
BP chartered plane from Algeria to London expected to arrive later tonight. Some ex-hostages may be on board: sources.—
Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) January 17, 2013
Confirmed/Breaking: 2 American Hostages in route to London.—
Bible&GunwillTravel (@Flyer95UAL) January 17, 2013
BP chartered plane from Algeria to London expected to arrive later tonight. Some ex-hostages may be on board: sources.—
Jennifer Griffin (@JenGriffinFNC) January 17, 2013