Over 20 people are killed and an unknown
number of hostages taken in an attack on a
restaurant and hotel in Ouagadougou, the
capital of Burkina Faso.
Security forces in the early hours of Saturday
began an assault to reclaim the Splendid Hotel
and entered its lobby, part of which was on
fire, witnesses said.
At least 63 hostages, including a government
minister, were freed from the besieged hotel,
the country's communications minister told
Reuters news agency.
Diallo Ismael, a human rights activist, said that
about 300 people could be inside the hotel
popular with foreigners.
"The security forces are close to storming the
building," Ismael told newsmen
from Ouagadougou.
The interior ministry said that fire brigade has
found around 10 bodies on terrace of
restaurant opposite the hotel.
French forces also arrived in Ouagadougou
from neighbouring Mali to aid the effort,
Associated Press news agency reported.
The director of the capital city's university
hospital said they were treating 15 people,
some with bullet wounds.
Earlier, Olympia de Maismont, a local reporter,
told journalists that police confirmed that there
were hostages in the Splendid Hotel, and she
said the military had surrounded the building
following reports of gunfire and explosions.
The attack, she added, happened around 8pm
local time on Friday.
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