BREAKING: Gunmen Attack Radisson Hotel In Mali Capital, Hold 170 Hostage

Two gunmen have taken to hostage Friday at least 170 people in Mali’s capital Bamako at the five-star Radisson Blu hotel. Gunfire from automatic weapons could be heard from outside the hotel building and the areas have been sealed off by security officials.

According to Carlson-Rezifor hotel group the gunmen stormed the building and have taken hostage 140 guests and 30 staff members. As per the information two men have locked the hostages on the seventh floor of the hotel.

Al Jazeera cites business owner Garba Konate who says the attackers were seen about three hours earlier to attacking the 190-room hotel. About 10 gunmen shot all the guards in the main gate of the hotel.

One of the important guests in the hotel is the richest person in Africa, Nigerian Aliko Dangote.

Mali has been always under attacks by armed groups despite a peace deal signed earlier this year in June between former Tuareg rebels and rival pro-government armed groups.