Gunmen have stormed the Radisson Blu Hotel in the centre of Mali’s capital, Bamako, in an apparent terror attack.
The 190-room hotel is popular with expats working in Mali.
A spokesman for Carlson Rezidor told NBC News the gunmen have locked in around 140 guests and 30 staff.
According to local reports, at least three people have been killed, including foreigners.
Turkish Airlines said six members of its staff were among the hostages but latest reports say most have been freed.
Around 10 men with guns and grenades reportedly arrived in a vehicle and broke through a security barrier and entered the hotel shooting and screaming ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is great).
The US Embassy has tweeted that it is aware of ‘an ongoing active shooter operation’ at the Radisson Hotel.
It told US Embassy staff and all US citizens to ‘shelter in place’ and to contact their families.
"Monitor local media for updates. US citizens should adhere to the instructions of local authorities and monitor local media," it said.
The French Embassy has issued similar advice for its citizens.
Air France has cancelled all flights due to leave Paris for Mali today, and returning flights.
The UN took over security in the country from French and African troops in July 2013, after the main towns in the north were recaptured from Islamist militants.
The UK Foreign Office has udpdated its advice for Mali, saying: "There is an ongoing incident at the Radisson Hotel in Bamako. If you are in Bamako you should avoid the area and follow the instructions of the local authorities."
