Three Russian pilots kidnapped in hotel attack

Three Russian pilots are thought to have been kidnapped during an attack on Friday on a hotel in central Mali used by United Nations staff, a Malian army spokesman and another military official said.

"The toll has increased and now there are seven dead, including four Malian soldiers, two terrorists and one white foreigner. Three Russian pilots are believed to have been kidnapped," spokesman Souleymane Maiga said in a text message.

The body of a white male victim was visible in front of the hotel, a witness said. Two Malian soldiers were killed and three wounded in the fire-fight and an attacker strapped with explosives was also killed, military spokesman Souleymane Dembele said in a text message.