LONDON (dpa-AFX) - British energy giant BP Plc. (BP, BP.L) on Saturday gave a further update on the situation at the In Amenas joint venture in Algeria and its response following the terrorist attack on the site early on Wednesday morning.
BP has confirmed that 14 of its 18 staff involved in the incident at the In Amenas site in Algeria are safe and secure, but that four remain unaccounted.
In addition to the BP employees, there were also a number of other personnel at the site contracted to the joint venture and other companies, many of whom have worked with and for BP for many years.
Bob Dudley, BP Group Chief Executive, said: 'While the situation has evolved, it may still be some time before we have the clarity we all desire. While not confirmed, tragically we have grave fears that there may be one or more fatalities within this number.
BP said it is working through a staged process of bringing non-essential personnel out of Algeria. BP had around 56 employees in Algeria at the time of the attack. Many remain in the country to support the response to the incident, but more than 25 BP staff have now left Algeria among several hundred staff from other companies. This process will continue as necessary.
Separately, Norway's Statoil ASA (STO) confirmed that Twelve of the 17 employees who were at In Amenas when the attack started are now confirmed as being safe.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also confirmed that the military operations and the hostage crisis at In Amenas have ended.
However, Statoil said that the situation remains unresolved for five Statoil employees, and neither the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor Statoil have confirmed information regarding their whereabouts.
The assault led Thursday by Algerian military to free the hostages held by a terrorist group in the gas factory of Tiguentourine in In Amenas, Illizi ended with the death of 32 terrorists and 23 people, according to a provisional toll provided by the Algerian interior ministry.
The Tigantourine gas field is operated by the Algerian state oil company, Sonatrach, along with the British energy giant BP and Norway's Statoil ASA.
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