Burkina Faso attack: Dozens freed, 23 dead in hotel siege that lasted hours

Attackers raided a luxury hotel in Burkina Faso overnight, opening fire and seizing hostages in an hourslong siege that ended with at least 23 people dead.

An al Qaeda-linked terrorist group claimed responsibility for the assault at Splendid Hotel -- a popular meeting place for Western diplomats in the capital, Ouagadougou.

The attack began Friday night and dragged on under the cover of darkness. Security forces circled the perimeter to assess the situation before they stormed in hours later.

"Everyone was panicked and was lying down on the floor. There was blood everywhere, they were shooting at people at point blank," said Yannick Sawadogo, who survived the siege.

Security forces entered the hotel early Saturday and freed 126 hostages, half of whom were hospitalized, said Alpha Barry, the nation's foreign minister.