More than 20 people have reportedly been killed as armed gunman stormed a luxury hotel in Bamako, Mali on Friday morning. The attackers held 170 people hostage in Radisson Blu hotel, while it is reported that there are no more civilians in the hotel.
The CEO of Rezidor, the company that owns the Radisson, has released a statement.
"I want to express my deep personal concern for all of the guests and employees affected by the terrible events which are happening today at the Radisson Blu Bamako Hotel in Mali," Wolfgang M. Neumann said.
"I speak on behalf of the entire Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group in extending our deep sympathy to the families, colleagues and friends of all those touched by today's events."
16:17 GMT: A Belgian regional assembly official was among those killed at the hotel, according to the country's parliament.
“Mr. [Geoffrey] Dieudonne, with other foreign colleagues, was in Mali to give a seminar for Malian parliamentarians,” the Brussels-based parliament said, as quoted by AFP.
“At this stage the exact circumstances of his tragic death are not yet known.”