Anxiety mounts over deadly hostage raid in Algeria

ALGERIA: Western governments voiced alarm over the fate of dozens of foreigners seized by Islamists at a gas plant in the Algerian desert after several hostages were killed in a dramatic rescue operation.

The Algerian military assault left "several people" killed or wounded but freed a "large number" of hostages, according to Communications Minister Mohamed Said, as special forces took control of a residential compound at the complex.Hundreds of hostages were being held at the compound, part of the sprawling In Amenas site, after Islamist militants seized the gas plant on Wednesday purportedly to avenge a French-led offensive in Mali.

Algerian officials said soldiers were still surrounding the site's main gas facility, which was yet to be secured in the air and ground assault.

AFP