Belgian working for EU killed in ‘cowardly’ Mali attack

A Belgian working for the European Union was among the five people killed in a “cowardly attack” on a bar in the Mali capital Bamako, officials said Saturday.

“Unfortunately, a Belgian is among the victims,” Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said, denouncing the killings.

“My thoughts are with the victims and their families,” Reynders said on the sidelines of an EU foreign ministers meeting in the Latvian capital Riga.

EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said she was deeply saddened by the “news of a terrorist attack in Bamako that has claimed the lives of several people, including a security officer of Belgian nationality working for the EU delegation in Mali.”

“This terrorist act strengthens even more our resolve to help fight terrorism throughout the region,” Mogherini added in a statement.

At least one gunman entered the nightclub in an area of the Mali capital Bamako which is popular with expatriates and opened fire in the early hours of Saturday, local police said.

“This is a terrorist attack, although we’re waiting for clarification. Provisionally, there are four dead — one French national, a Belgian and two Malians,” a policeman told AFP, adding that the dead included a police officer who had been passing the restaurant.

A third Malian also died in the shooting, according to the United Nations MINUSMA peacekeeping force.

Hospital sources said eight people were wounded including three Swiss nationals.