Gunmen have taken 170 people hostage in a hotel in Mali

Ten gunmen have taken 170 people hostage in the Radisson Blu Hotel in Mali's capital, Bamako.

The attackers are believed to have forced their way through a security barrier at around 7am local time. According to the BBC, gunshots have been heard ringing around the hotel, which is popular with tourists and expats. A security source has told Reuters: "Apparently it's an attempt to take hostages. The police are there and are sealing off the area." The company has released a statement, saying: “As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees.” Sky News report that the terrorists are screaming "Allahu Akbar", which means "God Is Great" in Arabic. https://twitter.com/USEmbassyMali/status/667623579807293440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/USEmbassyMali/status/667623665161359360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/USEmbassyMali/status/667623797554552832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/USEmbassyMali/status/667624012453924864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Image via Radisson Blu Hotel