Dozens rescued as Malian forces clear hotel

At least 80 people taken hostage by unidentified gunmen at a Radisson hotel in Mali's capital of Bamako have been freed, according to the Malian security ministry.

Malian special forces were clearing the hotel and sporadic gunshots were heard, witnesses said.

The hotel chain said earlier that two gunmen had "locked in" 140 guests and 30 employees at the hotel. Among the hostages, around 10 were Chinese, according to the staff of the Chinese embassy in Mali.

The embassy confirmed that at least three Chinese hostages were rescued and taken to safe zones. They were in good condition and were examined by the Chinese medical team in Mali.

A Chinese guest surnamed Chen told Xinhua earlier via the instant messaging service Wechat that he was among a number of Chinese guests trapped in the hotel.

"Around 6:30 in the morning, I heard multiple gunshots outside my room, and there was smoke in the hotel corridor and my room. The Internet connection was unstable," the Chinese guest said.

Malian security forces said around 10 gunmen carried out the hotel attack.

(China Daily 11/21/2015 page1)