European condolences after hostage-taking in Algeria

(BRUSSELS2) The taking of hostages is causing consternation at European level. " On behalf of the 27, I offer my condolences to the families of the victims of the terrorist attack on the gas site of In Amenas, in Algeria. I express my support for the Algerian authorities and the governments of the people who have been killed or injured” has just announced the High Representative of the EU, Catherine Ashton. " These events demonstrate once again the threat posed by violent extremist groups in North Africa and across the world. We will continue to work closely with our international partners to combat terrorism She added.

Europeans among the hostage takers?

According to the dispatches, 23 (+25?) hostages were killed: 3 British (+ 3 missing), 1 American (+ 2 missing), 1 French, 1 Algerian, 1 Romanian (+ 1 other injured), 12 Japanese, 1 Colombian. In addition, 5 Norwegians, 2 Malaysians, 2 Filipinos are missing. 32 of the hostage takers were reportedly killed. They were of different nationalities. The confusion reigning over the different nationalities – we have spoken of 2 or 3 Belgians killed – could be due to the fact that they could carry identities (passports) of European countries, real identities (simple nationality or double nationality) or fake. We know that several Europeans have been spotted in the Sahelian zone (Belgians, French in particular) or stopped before their departure.