Minister: 30 hostages freed from Burkina Faso hotel siege

In this image taken from video from AP Television, plain-clothed policemen leading people away near the Splendid Hotel, Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The SITE Intelligence Group reports that an al-Qaida affiliate is claiming responsibility for the ongoing siege on an upscale hotel and cafe in Burkina Faso’s capital where an unknown number of hostages are being held. AP

OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso — Burkina Faso’s communications minister says about 30 hostages have been freed from the upscale hotel that was seized more than nine hours earlier by al-Qaida militants.

Minister Remis Dandjinou said early Saturday that among those evacuated from the Splendid Hotel was Public Works Minister Clement Sawadogo.

The hostages were freed by Burkina Faso security forces backed by French troops who are trying to secure the four-story hotel. An unknown number of hostages remain inside.

READ: Forces try to retake Burkina Faso hotel attacked by al-Qaida

It was not immediately known how many people may have been killed during the siege, though one survivor estimated as many as 20 people were dead inside, according to hospital officials.

The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing, according to SITE Intelligence Group.