ALGIERS, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Fifteen foreign hostages escapedthe desert siege of a gas pumping station in Algeria, Algeria'sEnnahar television reported on Thursday.
An Algerian security source said the gunmen, who stormed thegas facility on Wednesday, were demanding safe passage out withtheir captives. The gunmen say they have been holding as many as41 foreigners as well as scores of Algerians.
Ennahar said 40 Algerians had been freed, mainly womenworking as translators.