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Anita Datar, a mother-of-one from Washington DC, was working in Mali when the attack took place.

Her family said in a statement on Friday: “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.”

(Image: HANDOUT)

Around 170 people - mostly guests - were taken hostage at the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako, the capital of Mali, west Africa.

Around a dozen gunmen – some of them shouting "Allahu Akbar" – attacked the hotel at around 7am local time.

Malian special forces later stormed the hotel to bring an end to the hostage situation.

But the siege is not over. Army spokesman Amadou Sangho said: "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."

Mali is a former French colony and the attack comes exactly a week after the attack by ISIS on Paris, which resulted in the deaths of 130 people.

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 and purports to be the West African branch of Al-Qaeda.

(Image: IG) (Image: SG) (Image: AP)

Officials said most of the hostages had been freed and were safe.

UN peacekeepers said they had counted 27 bodies but a search of hotel was continuing.

But national broadcaster ORTM, quoting security officials, said 18 bodies had been found.

Malian security forces said two gunmen had been killed.

(Image: AFP) (Image: STATE TV) (Image: RADISSON BLU/AFP)

France has sent 40 special police to support the effort and it is thought US special forces may also have been involved.

Forty employees and 130 guests were taken hostage.

The US said all 22 of its citizens were safe.

Reports suggest some of the hostage takers were speaking in English.

Famous Guinean singer Bambino Diabate was among 170 people taken hostage and said he heard attackers in the next room speaking English.

He said: "I heard them say in English 'Did you load it?', 'Let's go'.

"I wasn't able to see them because in these kinds of situations it's hard."

The terrorists used guns and grenades to take over the hotel, reports suggest.

(Image: AP)

Head of security Seydou Dembele said: "We saw two of the attackers. One was wearing a balaclava. The other was black-skinned. They forced the first barrier."

Two security guards were shot in the leg at the start of the siege.

Gunmen released some hostages who were able to recite verses of the Koran.

The Malian Macina Liberation Movement have reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, as did a rival group, Al-Mourabitoun.

A witness called Ibrahim said he heard gunshots coming from the hotel.

He said: "Soon after I saw one of the guards running out, injured... The security guard told me the shooters were so quick that he doesn't even know how many came in."

(Image: AP)

A Turkish official said Turkish Airlines had seven members of staff in the hotel.

Video footage has also emerged from terrified Chinese tourists trapped inside the Radisson Blu hotel.

The British Foreign Office has urged people not to travel to Mali.

A statement 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."

(Image: DS)

Aliko Dangote – the richest man in Africa – was at the hotel yesterday, according to reports in Africa.

Many French diplomats are reportedly based in Bamako.

Air France have cancelled all flights to Bamako following the hotel siege.

It raises fears of further attacks on French citizens following the Paris massacre last week.

Mali is a favourite travel destination of Blur frontman Damon Albarn.

(Image: Caters) (Image: AP)

In 2013 he released the album Mali Music after spending time in the country.

Islamic extremists took control of the north of the country in 2012 following a military coup.

It led to French-led military intervention in early 2013.

In March gunmen killed five people after storming a restaurant in Bamako.