Burkina Faso hotel attacked by al-Qaeda militants

16 Jan 2016 7:49 AM IST

Commandos used explosives to storm the building five hours later, accidentally setting fire to the hotel.

Four men wearing turbans attack the hotel and neighboring Cappuccino Cafe about 7:30 p.m, says an eyewitness. (Photo: AP)
The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.
At least 15 other people were seriously wounded by bullets and undergoing treatment at the Yalgado Ouedraogo hospital.
It was not immediately known how many people may have been killed during the siege, though a survivor told hospital director Robert Sangare he estimated the toll could be as high as 20.
Commandos used explosives to storm the building five hours later, accidentally setting fire to the hotel.
Al-Qaida militants struck an upscale hotel and nearby cafe late Friday that are popular with Westerners in Burkina Faso's capital, taking an unknown number of hostages and forcing others to hide for their lives as gunfire and explosions rang out.

Four men wearing turbans attack the hotel and neighboring Cappuccino Cafe about 7:30 p.m, says an eyewitness. (Photo: AP)

Commandos used explosives to storm the building five hours later, accidentally setting fire to the hotel.