Mali's Security Minister Salif Traore has reportedly confirmed that 170 people taken hostage today at the Radisson Blu hotel in Mali's capital Bamako, have been rescued and the gunmen no longer have any hostages.
"They currently have no more hostages in their hands and forces are in the process of tracking them down," AFP quoted Security Minister Traore as saying at a press conference.
Earlier, military forces stormed into the Radisson Blu hotel to rescue the hostages.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that all 20 Indians among the hostages were among those safely evacuated.
Meanwhile, French president François Hollande has issued a statement of support to Mali.
"I want to assure all Malians of our solidarity and support for them and I urge all French nationals who are in the affected area to be vigilant at this time," the statement said.
The identities of the armed gunmen in Radisson hotel is yet to be ascertained. Some reporters say that they are affiliated to an Islamic Extremist Organisation while some say that they are fluent in English.
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