Algeria attack: Statoil chief's concern for employees

A group linked to Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for an attack on a gas installation in eastern Algeria in which two people have died and up to 41 have been taken hostage.

The In Amenas plant is co-owned by the Algerian state oil company, Sonatrach, British company BP and the Norwegian-owned Statoil.

Statoil's Lars Christian Backer told reporters the company had initiated its emergency procedures, and that it had 17 employees at the facility on Wednesday morning.