The nationals, from different foreign nationalities (Norway, United Kingdom, United States, France and Japan), work in the gas facility, operated by national company Sonatrach and foreign firms (British Petroleum and Statoil).

Algerian workers were released, in small groups, by their abductors, according to the source.

The terrorist attack, perpetrated Wednesday morning in Tigantourine, province of Illizi (1850-km south of Algiers), left two killed, including a British national, and six wounded, including two foreigners.

"A terrorist group, heavily armed, arrived on three vehicles, entered Wednesday at 5 a.m. (Algerian time), Sonatrach’s residential camp in Tigantourine, near In-Amenas, about hundred kilometers from the Algerian-Libyan borders," the ministry of the Interior and Local Authorities said in a statement.

"People’s National Army forces (ANP) and security services arrived on the scene and immediately took all measures to secure the region and find a quick solution to this situation, which is closely followed by the authorities," the statement said.

An emergency committee has been formed, chaired by the governor of Illizi, Mohamed Laid Khelfi, and made up of the representatives of security services.