Attackers dig in on seventh floor, gunfire heard

Ben Bassey 16:33 - 20 November 2015

Mali hotel attackers dig in on seventh floor, gunfire heard

"Security forces are operating inside and are clearing each floor bit by bit and freeing hostages who are in their rooms," the security source said. "There are dozens, even around a hundred, still inside."

Heavy gunfire was heard from inside a luxury hotel in Mali's capital on Friday as soldiers advanced to free hostages held by Islamist fighters barricaded in on the building's seventh floor, a witness and security source said.

Eighty hostages held by Islamist gunmen have been freed from a luxury hotel in Mali's capital as government special forces moved floor by floor to clear the building, Mali's state broadcaster and a security source.