Commandos used explosives to enter the building five hours after the attack in Ouagadougou, accidentally setting fire to the hotel.
At least ten bodies have been found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant that is located next to the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou.
At least ten bodies have been found inside the Cappuccino Cafe, a restaurant that is located next to the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou. At least 20 people have died in the attack on the Splendid Hotel in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, West Africa
At least 20 people have died in the attack on the Splendid Hotel in Burkina Faso's capital, Ouagadougou, West Africa, Daily Mail reports.
Both the Splendid Hotel and a nearby cafe that was also attacked were popular with Westerners.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed responsibility for the attack, according to a statement released on an encrypted messaging app. The group said the fighters have killed as many as 30 hostages.
An unknown number of hostages were taken by the militants while others were forced to hide as gunfire and explosions rang out, Reuters Reports.
Some of the hostages were later freed.
It was not immediately known how many people may have been killed during the siege, though a survivor earlier told medical officials the toll could be as high as 20.
At least 15 other people were seriously wounded by bullets and undergoing treatment at the Yalgado Ouedraogo hospital.
The local al-Qaida affiliate known as AQIM (Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb) claimed responsibility online as the attack was ongoing in downtown Ouagadougou at the 147-room Splendid Hotel, according to the SITE Intelligence Group.