Mali hotel attack: Air France cancels Paris-Bamako flight after gunmen take 170 hostages

A Malian military official has said at least three people are confirmed dead in the attack

The Radisson Blu hotel is believed to have been 90% when the two gunmen stormed the building (AP)

Air France has cancelled its Paris-Bamako flight after gunmen attacked a hotel in the Mali capital.

The airline's spokesman Ulli Gendrot said the "3852 flight has been cancelled." It was due later on Friday.

The attackers seized about 170 hostages on Friday morning at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

A Malian military official has said at least three people are confirmed dead in the attack and that more than 100 hostages are believed to be held.

The Radisson Blu hotel, to the west of the centre of the city, is believed to have been “90 per cent full” when the two gunmen stormed the building.

A security source told AFP the attack was unfolding “on the seventh floor, jihadists are firing in the corridor”. Additional reports from local media indicated an explosion may have been heard, with district residents reporting hearing on-going gunfire.

Malian army commander Modibo Nama Traore told the Associated Press news agency as many as 10 gunmen were involved in the assault.

Mr Traore also claimed the men shouted “Allah Akbar” before they fired on the guards and took hostages.

A hotel spokesperson confirmed they were aware of the hostage situation, and that they believed 140 guests had been “locked inside” with around 30 members of staff.