Algerian hostage crisis: 34 hostages killed by helicopter attack !

You have to wonder the sanity in this helicopter attack. These hostages were kept in gas facility.

Unconfirmed reports this afternoon are claiming that an Algerian helicopter attack has killed 34 hostages and 15 kidnappers in the Sahara gas plant standoff. A number of hostages, who were being held by Islamist captors in the gas facility in eastern Algeria, have also escaped, according to local media reports. Details are currently unclear but some reports claim 30-40 Algerians and 15-25 foreign nationals have escaped.

The raid, and subsequent hostage-taking, would appear to have been motivated by France's military intervention in neighbouring Mali. Foreign Secretary William Hague today accused the attackers of “cold-blooded murder”. Several British workers are thought to be still in the gas field complex, as reports in The Times suggest the SAS has been put on stand-by for a rescue effort. Mr Hague described the siege as a "dangerous and rapidly developing situation" and has dispatched a specialist response team to Algeria to back up Britain's embassy staff. He told the BBC: "This is an absolute tragedy, of course. In this dangerous and rapidly developing situation the next of kin have been informed. "The Government's Cobra emergency system is in full operation. I have spoken to our ambassador in Algeria and dispatched a rapid deployment team to Algeria to strengthen our embassy there and help them in their work. "Excuses being used by terrorists and murderers who are involved - there is no excuse for such behaviour, whatever excuse they may claim. "It is absolutely unacceptable, of course. It is, in this case, the cold-blooded murder of people going about their business. So there is no excuse, whether it be connected to Libya, Mali or anywhere else." The Algerian government is thought to be in talks with United States and France over the possibility of bringing in an international force to break the siege, unnamed security officials have claimed. The Algerian interior ministry said the attack began when three vehicles carrying heavily armed militants ambushed a bus carrying employees from the gas plant to the nearby airport. Initially they were driven off, but they then headed for the main complex.

The Independet

reply to post by dollukka



Hi Doll,

Ongoing topic here :

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Kindest respects

Rodinus

There's a lot of confusion going on. The report of the hostages being killed was originally called in by the kidnappers group. Other reports have up to 30 workers escaping. That would make 64 of 41 hostages.

reply to post by dollukka



Whoops, and here too :

www.abovetopsecret.com...

Oh dear.. i tried to seek.. we seem to get news late here i guess.

Here's a post that just went up on my local News station:

www.globaltvedmonton.com...

Although the AP cannot confirm the information, it is starting to look like the Rescuers effectively killed most of the hostages.

If I'm ever kidnapped, please don't rescue me. I'll take my chances fighting them myself. If this report ends up being confirmed.... well, I think there is going to be some international outrage...

reply to post by PollyPeptide


Here's what doesn't make sense though. The reported that a number of people escaped, including 15 foreign workers. So how did 34 die if 15 of 41 escaped? There were reports that a number of Algerians had escaped, plus 15 foreign workers, then 20 more hostages (along with reports of some Americans), then the kidnappers claimed that 34 hostages were killed. The numbers just don't add up yet.

Originally posted by Zaphod58
reply to post by PollyPeptide

 

Here's what doesn't make sense though. The reported that a number of people escaped, including 15 foreign workers. So how did 34 die if 15 of 41 escaped? There were reports that a number of Algerians had escaped, plus 15 foreign workers, then 20 more hostages (along with reports of some Americans), then the kidnappers claimed that 34 hostages were killed. The numbers just don't add up yet.

maybe they specified 15 WORKERS because they got out before the others became hostages.

reply to post by Dizrael


I don't know, but there's a lot here not adding up. The media is running with the 34 killed, but that comes from the kidnappers, so there's a lot to be said about waiting to see what finally comes out.

reply to post by Dizrael


I wish there were only one thread on this subject. I can't keep up and am running out of fuel. Its a mess none the less and will be interesting how the big shots handle this one.

Originally posted by Zaphod58
reply to post by PollyPeptide

 

Here's what doesn't make sense though. The reported that a number of people escaped, including 15 foreign workers. So how did 34 die if 15 of 41 escaped? There were reports that a number of Algerians had escaped, plus 15 foreign workers, then 20 more hostages (along with reports of some Americans), then the kidnappers claimed that 34 hostages were killed. The numbers just don't add up yet.

I was wondering about that too. It would be nice if someone out there could verify the story. It's going to be a strange day methinks...

My friend from school was one of the men taken hostage and was released yesterday and was taken out of the facility with the army !

We heard from him yesterday by text message !

I will find out more when he returns to scotland