PM: Algeria bodies top priority

Jan 21 2013

Bringing home the bodies of the victims of the Algerian terror siege is Britain's top priority but it might take some time, David Cameron has said.

The Prime Minister confirmed to MPs that three British nationals were known to have been killed in the attack on the In Amenas gas field and a further three were believed to be dead, along with a Colombian who lived in the UK.

Mr Cameron said his deepest condolences were with the families of the victims and told the Commons work to clear the site of potential traps was continuing.

He said: "Now our most vital work is bringing home those who died. An international team of British, American and Norwegian experts is in close co-operation with the Algerian ministry of justice undertaking the task of formally identifying their bodies.

"We want this process to happen as swiftly as possible but it will involve some intensive forensic and policing work and so may take some time."