(VOVworld) – 33 hostages have been freed from Splendid hotel in the capital of Burkina Faso that was attacked by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) on Friday. Minister of Communications Remis Dandjinou said Saturday that among those 33 evacuated was Labor Minister Clement Sawadogo. The number of hostages stranded in the hotel has been unclear.

A view shows vehicles on fire outside Splendid hotel during the siege by Islamic gunmen. (Photo: Reuters)

Burkina Faso’s officials reported that the gunmen killed at least 20 people, including 14 foreigners, and injured 15.

Splendid hotel is a common stop of foreign tourists. It often provides accommodations for UN staff and French soldiers fighting Islamic extremists in Sahel region.