Plymouth man among hostages rescued in Algeria
A man from Plymouth is among those rescued from the hostage crisis in Algeria, his family have confirmed.
According to the BBC, the man is Allen McCloud, 53.
-
"We are all very relieved that Allen is now safe, it's been a long stressful four days for the family. Our thoughts are now with the other families who were not so lucky as us," Mr McCloud's brother, Malcolm, said to the BBC.
According to the Algerian government, 32 hostage takers and at least 23 captives died during the hostage crisis that took place at a gas plant in the country's eastern area. The plant is a joint venture between BP, Statoil and the Algerian state's oil company.
Three Britons have been confirmed to have died in the hostage crisis with another Brit thought to be dead.
Malcolm McCloud said that he and his family had been frustrated at the lack of information coming through from the British authorities, BP and other official sources during the hostage crisis.
"The lack of information from all the relevant sources was very poor. We were kept up to date from friends who worked in the oil and gas industry and the news," he said.
According to the internet site LinkedIN, Allen McCLoud is a Base de vie supervisor at B.P. Exploration.
Comments
by soultoucher
Monday, January 21 2013, 8:26PM
“I thought that was money.”
by BIGDUKE999
Monday, January 21 2013, 6:58PM
“religion the root of all evil”
by soultoucher
Monday, January 21 2013, 11:23AM
“Extremists in every religion..
Yes, you're absolutely right.
I'm not a silly person so hope my attitudes aren't silly, nonetheless I'm happy to admit this attitude of mine may be slightly ill-educated. Lets see.
Firstly, I struggle to equate the IRA and Muslim extremists, although both are terrifying if you're a victim, the IRA don't seem to be so widespread or frightening.
Rightly or wrongly, the jilbab in itself scares me just because I don't know if it's a male or female under there, let alone that they may have a couple pound of semtex smuggled away, and when they add a burqa to that, well then I can't even see their eyes.
I've been bought up westernised.. part of that includes being open with people, and trusting people at face value, the literal option of those words are taken away immediately upon meeting someone dressed this way, and anyway they aren't permitted to talk with me are they?
I'm an infidel and not worthy.
Keeping things simple here for reasons of space, their treatment of females isn't too great is it? I understand most religions treat females as 2nd class citizens but there's only one I'm aware of where they stone women to death even today, that scares the c**p out of me. I want no part of an organisation with that mentality, that's before we get to clitoral circumcision, regular beatings, arranged marriage and walking 3 steps behind a male.
There are probably some lovely Muslims out there who hate how these terrorists portray the worship of Islam and I want to acknowledge that.
We all know that since the dawn of time organised religion has been the cause of so much bloodshed, all under the disguise of defending the right God. It's still happening.
It's real, molochious, it has happened, it can happen, and if these people have their way it will happen again. Should I not be afraid?”
by trogy
Monday, January 21 2013, 4:26AM
“High Salaries and no Tax, worth a risk?
People should know what they are talking about before making comments. I pay full UK tax which will make some peoples eyes water. I work in this industry through choice after many hard years in school and university, I work long hours and miss my family as much as anyone else. Dont be jealouse of other peoples achievments, this type of work is not everyones cup of tea.”
by Molochius
Sunday, January 20 2013, 8:52PM
“"These muslim extremists are something else aren't they? They cause me to be afraid of all Muslims.
Silly attitude, you may as well fear all Christians because of the ira, there are extremists in every religion.”
by soultoucher
Sunday, January 20 2013, 5:06PM
“@bettyd
I'm sure that when he was surrounded by masked gunmen, and in the terrifying moment the algerian army blew up the gas station and people were burning alive and screaming,he gained comfort when he thought to himself
'at least I'm not paying tax'.”
by BettyD
Sunday, January 20 2013, 4:51PM
“High salaries and NO tax”
by soultoucher
Sunday, January 20 2013, 4:14PM
“These muslim extremists are something else aren't they? They cause me to be afraid of all Muslims.
23 captives dead and still counting, well done Mr McCloud.”
by CityCyclops
Sunday, January 20 2013, 3:46PM
“Positive news he is safe but they do take a chance by accepting contracts in thse jobs. High salaries for a high risk.”