Three Malaysian hostages safe, two more unknown

Three Malaysians involved in the hostage situation at the Amenas gas plant in Algeria are safe.

The Malaysian Embassy in Algiers have successfully contacted the three - Patrict Purait Awang, Lau Seek Chiang and K.Ravi - as efforts are now being taken to fly them home.

However, the Embassy is still determining the fate of two other Malaysians who are also involved in the episode.

Wisma Putra, had in a statement on January 19, said that the Embassy is "maximising their resources in determining the status of the remaining two Malaysians".

"The Embassy is also facilitating the process to bring back the three Malaysians to Kuala Lumpur in due course. The Foreign Affairs Ministry has also contacted the families to convey on the latest developments," the statement added.

Algerian special forces have freed more than 600 hostages held by militants at the remote gas plant near the Libyan border.

The hostage situation is in retaliation to Algeria's support for France's attack on Mali.