5 Turkish Airlines personnel released in Mali hotel–report

ANKARA, Turkey — Turkey’s state-run news agency says five Turkish Airlines personnel are among hostages that have been released from a hotel in Mali that was stormed by armed gunmen throwing grenades.

The Anadolu Agency said Friday the five were among a group of some 20 who were released. State-run TRT television said the released group included two pilots. There was no information on other personnel still believed to be inside the hotel.

Earlier, officials and reports had said six Turkish Airlines were among the hostages, but TRT television reported later that a seventh company employee was also at the hotel.