Winnipeg man with friends in Mali calls attacks 'surreal'
The deadly hotel seizure in Mali is hitting close to home for one Winnipeg man who has stayed at the Radisson Blu Hotel a few times and has friends close to the scene.
"[It's a] very sinking feeling," Peter Bernatsky told CBC News Friday. "My first reaction was to send them a text message to see if they're OK."
National broadcaster ORTM, citing security officials, said 18 bodies were found at the luxury hotel where 170 people were taken hostage by Islamic Militants. Malian state television is reporting that no more hostages are being held. Two gunmen were reported killed, Reuters said, citing an unnamed security source.
Bernatsky said his friends are safe and one of them who runs a nearby business was forced to shut down his office and leave the area.
"His first reaction to me was 'pray for Mali' because they've had a history of instability over the past few years," he said, adding the attack feels surreal. "After I texted with our friends there I started digging through my old photos, just looking at the hotel again, and I mean I recognize the street, I recognize the lobby — you know shots that were on air — so [it's] a very uneasy feeling."
Bernatsky said Mali is a beautiful country full of wonderful people and he hopes this attack doesn't deter people from visiting the country in the future.
