20 killed in Bangladesh cafe attack

At least 20 people, most said to be foreigners, have been killed in an attack by suspected Islamist militants on a cafe in Bangladesh, the army said.

Gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe in Dhaka late on Friday before troops entered almost 12 hours later.

Six of the attackers were also killed and one was arrested, a government spokesman said.

The attack was claimed by the so-called Islamic State (IS), the BBC reports.

At least nine Italians were among the dead, Italy’s foreign minister said.

“There is another person who is missing and could be hiding or could be among the wounded. We are looking for him,” the BBC quoted Paolo Gentiloni as saying to reporters.

The Italian press said many of those dining at the cafe worked in the garment industry.

Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Koichi Hagiuda, said seven Japanese nationals were in the cafe but it was not clear if they were among the casualties.

The army had initially said all hostages killed were foreigners, but later reports said some Bangladeshis also died.