12 Dead In Algerian Hostage Crisis At Natural Gas Plant

At least 12 have been reported dead as the hostage crisis continues at a BP gas plant in Algeria , including Texas resident Frederick Buttaccio. It is unclear how Buttaccio died during the standoff, but U.S. officials have said his remains had been recovered and family notified.

More than a dozen al-Qaeda-linked armed militants attacked the desert facility Wednesday, and reports on the numbers of casualties and hostages has varied widely. As many as seven hostages were still being held Friday, according to news reports. Special forces freed about 650 people, including nearly 100 foreign workers.

The militants have said they want to trade American hostages for the release of two convicted terrorists being held in U.S. jails, according to one news agency report.