Four hostages freed but 13 left dead as Mali hotel siege brought to an end

At least 13 people are thought to have been killed, including five UN workers, in a hostage siege at a hotel in the central Malian town of Sevare. A further four UN workers survived by hiding in cupboards for almost 24 hours as the attack unfolded. The suspected Islamist gunmen had retreated to the hotel after attacking a nearby army base. The siege was ended after government troops stormed the building early on Saturday. No group has said it carried out the attack. At least three of the gunmen are dead and seven have been arrested, while five Malian soldiers were said to have been killed in the attack.

It seems to be over and it has ended well. We freed the four hostages.

Defence ministry adviser Colonel Diaran Kone

Minusma, the United Nations’ mission in Mali, said in a statement that two Ukrainians, a Nepalese, a South African and a Malian died in the siege. South Africa confirmed one of its nationals died, while Ukraine said four of its citizens were caught up in the incident, one of whom had died. The four that walked out alive had kept in touch with the outside world on their mobile phones. The gunmen burst into the the Byblos Hotel early on Friday, sparking fierce exchanges of gunfire with the army who soon surrounded the building. Mali has been fighting Islamist rebels for a number of years. In recent months Islamist militants have shifted their attention from the north of Mali, where French and UN peacekeepers are stationed, to the south and centre of the country

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