Mali hotel on lock-down during terrorist takeover in November 2015
Mali hotel on lock-down during terrorist takeover in November 2015REUTERS

At least two people were killed Sunday evening after gunmen seized a tourist lodge in Bamako, Mali, a popular destination for Western visitors which has been targeted by terrorist groups in the past.

The gunmen targeted the Campement Kangaba tourist resort, taking an unknown number of people hostages, authorities in Mali have reported.

Malian police and soldiers have been deployed around the resort, while the French Bakhane counter-terrorist force is en route.

Witnesses have reported hearing gunfire and explosions in and around the resort.

The United Nations Mission in Mali has declared the incident a terror attack.

In 2015, terrorists affiliated with Al-Qaeda attacked a hotel in Bamako, taking more than 170 people hostage. During the attack, 20 hostages were killed.