Japan struggling to confirm information of hostages in Algeria (2)

Both of the Japanese government and the JGC have sent officials to Algeria to confirm the status of Japanese who were caught up.

Islamic militants on Wednesday seized a natural gas facility in southeastern Algeria and asked France stop its military operation in Mali. Dozens of workers in the plant were took hostage.

The JGC on Saturday confirmed that seven Japanese staff, as well as other 13 non-Japanese workers, in the facility are in safe condition.

After the rescue operation, the Algerian interior ministry has put the death toll of the hostage crisis at 55 people, including 23 hostages and 32 militants, according to reports.