IG The attack has taken place at the Radisson Blu hotel

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Mother-of-one Anita Datar, 41, was one of 27 people killed in the massacre that took place on Friday. Her family said in a statement: “We are devastated that Anita is gone - it's unbelievable to us that she has been killed in this senseless act of violence and terrorism. “Anita was one of the kindest and most generous people we know. She loved her family and her work tremendously. Everything she did in her life she did to help others - as a mother, public health expert, daughter, sister and friend. “And while we are angry and saddened that she has been killed, we know that she would want to promote education and healthcare to prevent violence and poverty at home and abroad, not intolerance.”

AP Hostages being released from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali

Malian security forces are now hunting three suspects connected to the attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital Bamako. The exact number of gunmen is still unknown. Two militants were killed after special forces stormed the hotel, freeing dozens of trapped guests. President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has declared a state of emergency and three days of national mourning.

HANDOUT US aid worker Anita Datar was killed in the Mali terror attack

Another of the victims was Belgian diplomat Geoffrey Dieudonne, in the attack which comes a week after Islamic State (ISIS) carried out a series of terror atrocities on Paris. Several Russians were killed, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed. Three Chinese people working for a state-owned railway construction company were also killed. Earlier reports claimed a French national was also among the deceased, but the country's defence minister later declared none of his nationals were killed in the attack. The siege took place at a Radisson Blu hotel, popular with Air France crew and Western tourists, in the Malian capital of Bamako. Up to 170 people were held up in the attack, which al-Qaeda affiliates in Africa have claimed responsibility for and the death toll continues to fluctuate. Reports from the United Nations peacekeepers in Mali claim they saw 27 bodies at the scene of the atrocity - 12 in the hotel basement and another 15 victims on the second floor.

But this evening French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian reported that 19 people - 18 in the hotel and one Malian soldier - had died in the tragedy. All remaining hostages have now been freed from the hotel after special forces launched an assault on the building, with the Mali ministerial advisor confirming the attack is over. Representatives for US Africa Command said American military personnel were helping move civilians to safety as Malian forces cleared the hotel. There were thought to be up to 10 terrorists behind the attack, with security officials confirming at least two have been killed. Mali security ministry spokesman Amadou Sangho said earlier today: "The attackers no longer have hostages. They are dug in in the upper floors. "They are alone with the Malian special forces who are trying to dislodge them."

Responsibility for the barbaric act has been claimed by Al-Murabitoun, a twisted extremist group headed by infamous one-eyed Algerian jihadi Mokhtar Belmokhtar. The abhorrent group was founded two years ago and purports to be the West African branch of Al-Qaeda. Militants, who have been heard speaking in English, fired shots in the corridors while shouting "God is great" in Arabic. Militants, who have been heard speaking in English, fired shots in the corridors while shouting "God is great" in Arabic. A police source said: "They've penetrated inside the hotel. The operations are under way.” Soldiers were going from floor to floor, with reports suggesting automatic weapons shots were heard on the seventh floor of the hotel. Some of the hostages were earlier allowed out by the terrorists if they could recite verses from the Koran. Earlier six American nationals were rescued alive after the attack. The Pentagon have since announced that 22 Defense Department military and civilian employees were accounted for after the attack.

Express 170 people have been taken hostage at the hotel

IG Mokhtar Belmokhtar, the leader of the group that has claimed responsibility for the attacks

IG A screengrab of a video showing soldiers in the hotel in the Malian capital

IG The Malian forces have helped 80 of the hostages be released

AP Malian troops take position outside the Radisson Blu hotel

French nationals were thought to be among the hostages. France sent an elite force specialising in hostage situations to the African nation. The hostages were also said to have included German, Indian, Chinese, Turkish and Algerian nationals. The hostages were also said to have included German, Indian, Chinese, Turkish and Algerian nationals. There were 140 guests and 30 employees at the hotel when terrorists stormed in this morning. A hotel staff member who managed to flee described the horrific scenes. They said: “We were evacuated by security forces. There were a lot of people inside. I saw dead bodies in the lobby. “I was hiding in my room. There were several minutes and then security forces smashed my door and we left.”

A famous Guinean singer, who also escaped, said he heard attackers in the next room speaking English. Sekouba 'Bambino' Diabate said he heard them say: “Did you load it? Let’s go. "I wasn't able to see them because in these kinds of situations it's hard." Reports vary from two to 10 gunmen being inside the building. Reports vary from two to 10 gunmen being inside the building. The terrorists arrived in a vehicle which forced its way through a security barrier. The hotel’s head of security Seydou Dembele, said two private security guards had been shot in the legs in the early stages of the assault. He said: ”We saw two of the attackers. One was wearing a balaclava. The other was black-skinned. They forced the first barrier.”

AP Security forces escort a hostage released by the gunmen

Terrorists take 170 hostages in Mali Fri, November 20, 2015 Terrorists take 170 hostages at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali. Play slideshow EPA 1 of 35 An injured man is seen carried away from the hotel

Amadou Keita, who works near to the hotel, said he saw the attackers force their way in. He said: “Between 6.30am and 7am a car arrived, they shot at the guard on the door. They got inside. "The police arrived, there were exchanges of gunfire, it was going off everywhere.” Malian army commander Modibo Nama Traore said the gunmen stormed the hotel shouting "Allahu Akbar" or "God is great" in Arabic before firing on the guards and taking hostages. The hotel, which has 190 rooms, is regularly used by foreign dignitaries, as well as Air France staff on long-haul stopovers. The airline said 12 of its crew are among those who have been freed from the siege. Turkish Airlines said it has six staff inside the attacked hotel but five of them have escaped from the terrorists. The UN mission said it was sending security reinforcements. The west African country has deep ties to France and the attack comes just a week after 130 people were killed in the atrocities in Paris.

GETTY Soldiers stormed the hotel in a bid to free the hostages

Prime Minister David Cameron offered his condolences this afternoon as he condemned the attackers behind the siege. A tweet from the official Number 10 account read: "My thoughts are with those caught up in the Bamako attack. "We stand with our partners around the world in the fight against terrorism." French president Francois Hollande said "everything was being done" to free those being held.

PM: My thoughts are with those caught up in the #Bamako attack. We stand with our partners around the world in the fight against terrorism. — UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) November 20, 2015

REX Malian soldiers cordoning off streets near Radisson Hotel

Sky News Authorities arrive at the hotel in Mali to 10 gunmen inside the hotel

President Hollande added: “Once again we really must show solidarity with Mali. “Within the hotel are tourists and heads of companies representing a great number of countries.” He is sending an elite French unit to Mali that specialises in hostage situations. The team of 200 is selected from the French police before undergoing a rigorous year of training. The US embassy in Mali advised US citizens to contact their families and follow local media coverage.

Sky Chaos on the streets around the hotel in Mali

AP Two women were released by the gunmen

As per our information, two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees Hotel statement

In a statement the British Foreign Office said: "We are in contact with local authorities and urgently seeking further information following reports of an incident at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, Mali. “The Foreign Office has advised against all travel to Mali for some time.” The US Embassy tweeted that it was "aware of an ongoing active shooter operation at the Radisson Hotel". US President Barack Obama has been briefed by a national security advisor, the White House said. Prime Minister David Cameron was also being kept updated. Downing Street said: “We are monitoring the situation closely. We are in touch with our staff there. "It’s an ongoing situation.”

AP Onlookers gather near the Radisson Blu hotel after gunmen stormed the building

The Rezidor Hotel Group, which owns Radisson Blu, said in a statement: “As per our information, two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees. “Our safety and security teams and our corporate team are in constant contact with the local authorities in order to offer any support possible to re-instate safety and security at the hotel.” Air France has cancelled its Paris-Bamako flight after gunmen attacked the hotel. An airline spokesman Ulli Gendrot said the "3852 flight has been cancelled." It was due to take off later today. There is confusion over an aborted flight that took off from Paris to the US today before returning to France.

Google Radisson Blu hotel in Mali capital of Bamako

Chad president Idriss Deby Itno said in a statement he expects the worst from the incident. “There are men and women, citizens who are just doing their jobs and have been targeted. "I condemn in the strongest possible way this barbaric act which has nothing to do with religion. “I reaffirm our unending support for our brother Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and all the people of Mali. Nothing is very clear as yet. But we can expect blood and tears.”

AP The scenes outside the Radisson Blu hotel

AP Tourists had been warned not to travel to Mali