Bamako, November 20: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday evening confirmed that the 20 Indians who were held captive at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali have been safely evacuated after five hours of joint operation carried out by Malian military and United Nations paramilitary forces. Officials from Radisson Blu Hotel, say 124 guests, 13 staff members still inside the hotel on the seventh floor following the attack. Also Read - IS-linked Couple Incites Anti-CAA Protests For Terror Strike in Delhi's Jamia Nagar; Detained

MEA official, Vikas Swarup, on Friday tweeted that, “20 Indians were staying at the Radisson Blu Hotel. Our embassy in Mali is continuously in touch with them and is monitoring the situation”. Also Read - Kolkata: Suspected ISIS Operative Abu Musa Hurls Shoe at Judge During Hearing

Later on Friday evening, Swarup tweeted that, “All 20 Indians in the hotel in Bamako have been safely evacuated, Ministry of External Affairs tweeted after confirming it from Indian ambassador in Mali”. Read Also: (Mali Attack Live Update: Twenty Indians among 170 hostages held captive at Radison Blu Hotel in Bamako)

It is believed that the 20 Indians were working for a Dubai based company and were on a site visit in Mali’s capital, however further details of their conditions are awaited.

The news created stir world wide as an additional 138 hostages are still held captive at the Radisson Blu Hotel among which several government personnel from United States are present at the Hotel. French and US troops had reached the spot to evacuate the hostages in the hotel.

According to the reports, at least three people were killed by the gunmen who open fired at them on Friday morning. Malian army commander Modibo Nama said, 10 gunmen stormed the hotel shouting “Allahu Akbar” (God is great) in Arabic.

Among the hostage there are several Chinese citizens stranded there, Xhinua news agency reported. Soon after the attack US President Barack Obama was brifed about the situation in Mali.

Report suggest that the heavily armed attackers entered the hotel in a car with diplomatic number plates on it and forced security guard to enter the lobby.

In an official statement given by Rezidor Hotel Group, the US-based parent company of Radisson Blu, said two people were holding 170 people hostage.

Company said, “aware of the hostage-taking that is ongoing at the property today, 20th November 2015. As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees”.

The company further added, “Our safety and security teams and our corporate team are in constant contact with the local authorities in order offer any support possible to reinstate safety and security at the hotel.”