A group of attackers armed with guns and grenades stormed a luxury hotel in Bamako, taking around 170 people hostage.

“The attackers are still inside. We’re hearing gunfire from time to time,” a witness outside the hotel told the agency.

The attack on the Radisson hotel appeared to be carried out by Islamist militants. The head of Mali’s military, Modibo Nama Traore, said about 10 gunmen stormed the hotel shouting “Allahu Akbar” and firing on the guards. A hotel staff member said grenades had been used.

Meanwhile contrary to news being circulated that top businessman Aliko Dangote had been caught up in the attack the mogul has debunked the story by posting on his Twitter page