Eighty people have been freed from the on-going hostage situation at Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, the Malian capital.

Two to three gunmen with Ak-47 riffles reportedly drove into the hotel using a diplomatic vehicle, which possibly helped them pass through security, and subsequently took about 170 people hostage.

Three people – two Malians and one French – have been killed and two others injured.

Radisson Blu Hotel, owned by Belgium-based Rezidor Hotel Group, is one of the biggest and best hotels in Mali and is mainly used by foreign nationals, especially businessmen who are helping to rebuild the country after so many troubles in the past.

There has so far not been a claim of responsibility for the attack but security forces have surrounded the hotel.

French President, Francois Hollande, called his Malian counterpart, Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta, who is on his way back to the country from Chad, to offer support. Consequently, France, which itself is trying to catch its breath after last week’s terror attacks, says a tactical team is on its way to Mali to help with the situation.

UN and US troops are currently assisting Malian security forces.

According to a statement on the hotel group’s website, 125 guest and 13 employees are still in the hotel.

“Our highest concern is the safety of all our guests and employees in the hotel. We are in constant contact with the authorities there and will share further information with you when we have it,” the statement reads.