An unknown number of Japanese taken hostage at a natural gas complex in Algeria were killed or are missing, the Algerian government told Tokyo early Sunday after eliminating the hostage takers, a militant Islamic group.
Meanwhile, French public radio reported Sunday that an Algerian employee at JGC said he witnessed the militants killing nine Japanese employees at the complex on Wednesday — the day the crisis started.
Reacting to word from the government, JGC Corp. spokesman Takeshi Endo said Sunday that "we are now facing a severe situation," although the company hasn't yet confirmed the reports.