BAMAKO, Nov. 20 -- At least 80 people taken hostage by unidentified gunmen in Radisson Hotel in the Malian capital Bamako have been freed, according to the Malian security ministry.

The Mali special forces have also started clearing the hotel as sporadic gunshots were heard, witnesses said.

The hotel chain said earlier two gunmen had "locked in" 140 guests and 30 employees at the hotel. Among the hostages, close to 10 hostages were Chinese, according to a staff with the Chinese Embassy in Mali.

The Chinese Embassy confirmed to Xinhua at least three Chinese hostages were rescued to safe zones. They were in good conditions, and being examined by the Chinese medical team in Mali.

A Chinese guest surnamed Chen told Xinhua earlier via Wechat mobile app that he was among a number of Chinese guests trapped in the hotel.

"Around 6:30 in the morning, I heard multiple gunshots outside my room, and there was smoke in the hotel corridor and my room. The internet connection was unstable and phone calls to the reception went unanswered," said the Chinese guest.

Malian security forces revealed there were around ten gunmen in the hotel attack.