All 20 Indians in Mali hotel siege rescued, safe

Twenty Indians who were inside a Mali hotel that came under siege by gunmen Friday have been rescued, a spokesman for India's foreign ministry said on Twitter.

"Good news! All 20 Indians in the hotel in Bamako have been safely evacuated. Our Ambassador in Mali has confirmed," Vikas Swarup tweeted.

The rescued Indians are employees of a Dubai-based firm, Dev Bulani, the owner of the company they worked for, told Khaleej Times.

He reportedly assured that the staff are completely safe and are under the care of the French and Malian army.

"The terrorists attacked Block A of the hotel complex and my relatives are living in a house in Block B. They are safe and secure," he said.

"There are no women and children in the complex and all my relatives there are men. I am in constant touch with them. I have been speaking to them from the moment the crisis broke out," he added.