Terrorists attack luxury hotel in Bamako and take 170 hostages

Terrorists armed with guns and grenades have stormed a luxury hotel in Mali and taken around 170 people hostage.

Around 10 jihadists have attacked a Radisson Blu hotel in the centre of the country"s capital, Bamako.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that nine people have been killed.

The hotel confirmed that 170 people – 140 guests and 30 employees – were taken hostage.

However, the attackers have since released around 20 hostages who were able to quote the Koran, according to Malian army commander Modibo Naman Traore.

Security forces help people to flee the hotel attack (Picture: AP Photo/Harouna Traore)

Six Turkish Airlines staff members are among those trapped in the hotel.

‘There are six Turkish Airlines personnel in the hotel," a Turkish govement official told Reuters.

Onlookers gather near the Radisson Blu hotel (Picture: AP Photo/Harouna Traore)

A French presidential source confirmed that French nationals are among those attacked, and that they are providing logistical and intelligence assistance.

And the President of Mali tweeted that they are aware of the situation.

MALI | L'Hôtel #RadissonBlu de #Bamako attaquée ce matin par des assaillants armés qui prennent en otage 170 personnes #AttaqueRadisson — Presidence Mali (@PresidenceMali) November 20, 2015

The Brussels-based Rezidor Hotel Group has released a statement on the attack.

‘As per our information, two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees," it said.

lanat NS RT FarhanKVirk: Breaking: Live from streets of Bamako #Mali where terrorists have held people as hostage,… pic.twitter.com/iqSGMJ1GbI — احتشام گجر (@EhtixhamGujjar) November 20, 2015

‘Our safety and security teams and our corporate team are in constant contact with the local authorities in order offer any support possible to reinstate safety and security at the hotel," they added.

‘At this point we do not have further information and continue to closely monitor the situation."

The attackers were heard shouting ‘Allahu Akbar", police in Bamako said.

Automatic weapon fire could be heard from outside the 190-room hotel, according to reports.

The Radisson Blu is the target of the siege (Picture: Tripadvisor)

‘Very early in the moing there was gunfire. Apparently it"s an attempt to take hostages," a security source said.

‘The police are there and are sealing off the area."

It is currently unknown which terror group the attackers are affiliated with.

(Picture: Google Maps)

Malian soldiers, police and special forces are on the scene along with some UN peacekeeping troops and French soldiers.

They have surrounded the hotel and are blocking roads leading into the neighbourhood.

Witnesses at the scene said the attackers arrived in a diplomatic vehicle, and are now ‘walking quietly" around the hotel"s seven floors.

#Bamako Hotel #Radisson under siege by Jihadists. Reports: 7th floor Possible Fire Possible 2 to 3 dead via\" CTS pic.twitter.com/cyErG16l8a — Raven*H⚓️U*Wolf (@RavenHUWolf) November 20, 2015

‘It"s happening on the seventh floor, the jihadists are now shooting in the corridor," security sources added.

The hotel is popular with expats and tourists in Mali, and the US embassy has waed people to take shelter and keep an eye on local media.

SECURITY MESSSAGE (1/4) The Embassy is aware of an ongoing active shooter operation at the Radisson Hotel. — U.S. Embassy Bamako (@USEmbassyMali) November 20, 2015

SECURITY MESSAGE (2/4) The U.S. Embassy staff has been asked to shelter in place. All U.S. citizens should shelter in place. — U.S. Embassy Bamako (@USEmbassyMali) November 20, 2015

SECURITY MESSAGE (3/4) Private U.S. citizens are encouraged to contact their families. — U.S. Embassy Bamako (@USEmbassyMali) November 20, 2015

SECURITY MSG 4/4 Monitor local media for updates. US citizens should adhere to the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media — U.S. Embassy Bamako (@USEmbassyMali) November 20, 2015