BP Gas Site: Brits Caught Up In Hostage Drama

British nationals are caught up in a terrorist attack at a gas field in Algeria where several workers were taken hostage.

At least eight people, including an Irishman, have been kidnapped from the gas facility part-operated by BP, Sonatrach (the Algerian national oil company), and Statoil in Algeria.

Two people have reportedly been killed in the attack on the plant situated in the east of the country near the Libyan border.

Prime Minister David Cameron is chairing a meeting of the Government's crisis committee Cobra on the attack, attended by ministers from the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence, as well as officials from other agencies.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that British nationals are caught up in a terrorist incident ongoing near the town of In Amenas at an oil installation near the Algerian border with Libya.

The In Amenas field (courtesy BP.com)

"The British embassy in Algiers is liaising with local authorities."

The Foreign Office said it is working with BP to support the families of those involved.

BP is yet to confirm a link to reports that Islamist militants, said to be connected to al Qaeda, had seized a number of people in an attack that had a possible revenge motive for French military action in Mali.

It said in a statement: "We can confirm that there is an ongoing security incident at the In Amenas gas field in the eastern central region of Algeria.

"The site was attacked and occupied by a group of unidentified armed people at about 5am UK time.

"Contact with the site is extremely difficult, but we understand that armed individuals are still occupying the In Amenas site.

"Our absolute priority is the safety and security of our staff.

"We do not yet have confirmed information on the status of personnel at the site, but believe some are being held by the occupiers."

The company said it was seeking information as to whether any staff or contractors had been injured - and the identities and intentions of the people occupying the site.

It added it was contacting relatives of workers on the site.

A French citizen was killed, according to the AP news agency, which quoted an Algerian security official.

He suggested the attack on the base, about 60 miles from the Libyan border, came at 2am and the militants involved came from Mali.

The official claimed that the Algerian army had since surrounded the militants and their hostages and negotiations had started.

In its statement BP said: "We can confirm that there has been a security incident this morning at the In Amenas gas field in the eastern central region of Algeria.

"The In Amenas field is operated by a joint venture of which BP is a member. Algerian authorities are engaged with the incident; UK authorities have also been advised.

"BP has activated its emergency response system and is setting up a helpline for relatives."

The company did not say whether foreigners were taken away from the facility.

Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs (DPA) confirmed a 36-year-old married man from Northern Ireland, travelling on an Irish passport, was among those taken.

It is understood that Japanese, Norwegian and French nationals were also part of the group.

Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore called for the Irishman's immediate release.

He said: "The Government stands ready to use all the resources available to us to ensure that our citizen is released as soon as possible.

"I would ask that the family be allowed privacy at this difficult time."

The country's Department of Foreign Affairs added it was providing consular assistance to the family and was in close contact with its international partners and a wide range of other contacts in order to establish the facts of the situation.

A spokesman said: "At this stage, the identity and motives of the kidnappers is unknown."

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