Aerial view of Bamako
Gunmen have stormed a hotel in Mali and taken 170 people hostage, raising fears of a terror attack.
The owners of the hotel, the Radisson Bu in the capital Bamako, have said 140 guests and 30 employees are "locked in".
"The Rezidor Hotel Group... is aware of the hostage-taking that is ongoing at the property today, 20th November 2015," the company said in a statement..
"As per our information two persons have locked in 140 guests and 30 employees."
Reports of gunfire surfaced on Friday morning on social media, although a defence ministry adviser said it was not clear what had happened.
Following a military coup in 2012, Islamic extremists took control of northern Mali, prompting a French-led military intervention the following year.
The extremists were scattered from northern towns and cities, but the north remains insecure and militant attacks have extended farther south this year.
In March masked gunmen shot up a Bamako restaurant popular with foreigners, killing five people.
About 1,000 French troops remain in the country.
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