Attack on Radisson Blu Hotel Bamako leaves 19 dead

The Radisson Blu Hotel Bamako, Mali, was the scene of a terrorist attack on Friday, November 20, where 170 people were held hostage.

After a standoff, where Malian commandos staged a rescue, Reuters announced that 19 people were killed in the attack, though some reports are claiming at least 27 lost their lives.

The news organisation has also reported that seven were wounded in the attack, and responsibility has been claimed by terrorist groups Al Mourabitoun and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

The gunmen were reported to have burst through the hotel's security barrier in the morning at 7am, with the attack ending at 4pm.

Twenty Indian nationals, who work in the UAE, were staying at the hotel, and Vikas Swarup, the official spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs tweeted they were all safe. He said on the social media network: "Good news! All 20 Indians in the hotel in Bamako have been safely evacuated. Our Ambassador in Mali has confirmed. #MaliAttack"

Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia released statements on the same day condemning and denouncing the storming of the hotel.

This attack comes just a week after ISIS militants rampaged through Paris and killed 130.