Algerian firemen prepare to unload a refrigerated truck with bodies killed during the hostage taking at a gas plant at the morgue in Ain Amenas, Algeria, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. At least 81 people have been reported dead, including 32 Islamist militants, after a bloody, four-day hostage situation at Algeria's remote Ain Amenas natural gas plant. Nearly two dozen foreign workers remained unaccounted for late Sunday. (AP Photo/Anis Belghoul)
January 21, 2013 - 6:08 AM
OTTAWA - Ottawa continues to probe unconfirmed media reports that Canadians may have been among the hostake-takers in a bloody four-day siege at an Algerian natural gas plant.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says it is "pursuing all appropriate channels to seek further information" and remains in close contact with Algerian authorities.
At least 81 people have been reported dead, including 32 Islamist militants, in the attack that began Wednesday and ended Saturday when Algerian special forces stormed the remote complex 1,300 kilometres south of Algiers.
Private television Ennahar cited security sources as saying two Canadians were among the hostage-takers and Agence France-Presse said a security source told it that it was known two Canadians were among them.
This follows reports Friday from a news agency in Mauritania, which quoted an unnamed source with the militant group who said the hostage-takers included people from Mali, Egypt, Niger, Mauritania and Canada.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs said this weekend it believes no Canadians or dual nationals were among the hostages and a permanent resident of Canada who was at the site is safe and has left Algeria.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013