Burkina Faso – it’s not a name you hear often, but it’s one people around the world won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
Around 28 people have been killed and 50 others seriously injured in a hold up at a popular cafe and hotel in the West African country.
At least 13 of the victims were foreigners, including two Swiss nationals, one Dutch national, one American and six Canadians, The Australian reported.
According to reports, travellers and locals were enjoying the Friday evening when militants allegedly belonging to al-Qaeda, entered the cafe and opened fire. They then moved their attack into the hotel next door.
?New photos from #BurkinaFaso https://t.co/OCgfw3TJ4A ?@burkina24 pic.twitter.com/e51E046Vlm
— Mete Sohtaoğlu (@metesohtaoglu) January 15, 2016
The siege continued throughout the evening and into Saturday when Burkinabe and French soldiers stormed the facility.
Burkina Faso’s President Kabore, said it was the first time the country had become victim of “barbaric” attacks.
He declared a three-day mourning period for the 28 lives lost.
“We will emerge victorious from the war that [the terrorists] forced on our people and the other nations of the world.”
President Kabore
Hours after the attack, a Perth couple was kidnapped from a medical clinic, which they ran in northern Djibo.
Ken and Jocelyn Elliot, both in their 80s, set up the clinic in 1972 and have dedicated their lives to helping locals for some 40 years.
Australian couple kidnapped by jihadists in Burkina Faso at the same time al-Qaeda militants attacked hotel. #9News pic.twitter.com/T3jeLwSFsh
— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) January 16, 2016
The Federal Government said their treating the kidnapping “very seriously” and consultant staff from neighbouring Ghana is currently liaising with local police officers.
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has advised Australians to reconsider their need to travel to the West African country.
“Travellers are reminded of the serious threat of kidnapping in Burkina Faso particularly in the north.”
DFAT
“We advise travellers to reconsider the need to travel to Burkina Faso. The do not travel warning remains in place for the north of the country.”
The attack and kidnapping in the African country follows last week’s suicide bombing in Turkey, which killed 10 tourists. Read on
