TERROR IN MALI: Jihadist gunmen shouting 'Allahu Akbar' launch shooting and grenade rampage in hotel, killing three and taking 170 hostage before freeing those who could recite the Koran

TERROR IN MALI: Three jihadist gunmen shouting 'Allahu Akbar' are killed and remaining gunmen flee to the roof as special forces storm five-star Mali hotel where 170 people were taken hostage 

 

 

• Radison Blu hotel under attack by jihadists armed with AK-47s and hand grenades in Malian capital of Bamako 
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• Up to 10 gunmen have taken dozens of hostages inside the Radisson hotel while 80 people have escaped unharmed
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• Gunmen spoke in English and tested hostages' knowledge of the Koran before allowing Muslim hostages to leave
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• U.S. embassy confirms government employees are among the terrified hostages trapped inside the Radisson Blu hotel
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• US Special Forces lead elite operation to clear the building one floor at a time amid deadly hostage crisis
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• At least three people have been killed including one French national and US embassy have urged American nationals to 'shelter in place' from attack 
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By TOM WYKE and JAY AKBAR FOR MAILONLINE

Armed jihadists have killed at least three people in a deadly shooting rampage and taken 170 hostages at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, Mali.

Automatic weapons fire has been heard on the seventh floor of the 190-room hotel, where it is thought as many as 10 militants have been going floor to floor and taken 140 guests and 30 members of staff hostage. 80 hostages have since been freed as special forces entered the building.

The US embassy has confirmed that several American government personnel are among the 125 guests and 13 employees who remain trapped inside the besieged hotel. The Pentagon revealed that US Special Forces have been assisting the rescue operation in a bid to save the remaining hostages.

Three of the gunmen have been killed and the remaining terrorists are reportedly heading to the roof as special forces make their way up the floors. No group has claimed responsibility for the hotel attack although Al Qaeda affiliated militants have previously carried out attacks in Mali.

A spokesman for the service said they are heading from two different units of special police forces trained for emergency situations. British Special Forces are in Mali and also expected to head towards Bamako to help with the terror operation.

Michael Skapoullis, who escaped the besieged hotel today, told the BBC: 'We live in a complex near the Radisson hotel. Every day I go to the [Radisson] gym from 6 to 8 in th emorning.

'Today, after 7-ish, it was extremely quiet, there were two people inside the gym. They left and I was a bit worried.

'We had the music on all the time at the gym so I didn't hear any gunshots. I left the gym and I tried to go in the lobby.

'I opened the lobby door slowly, slowly, and I saw bullets on the ground. So I closed the door of the lobby and I went door to door, I went back in the gym, and from the gym I left the hotel.

'Outside the hotel, there were police and military crew who escorted me and brought me to my house.'