Algerian officials are now expressing hope that they can come to a “peaceful” settlement with attackers who took massive numbers of hostages at a gas field in the nation’s east, just one day after Algerian warplanes pounded the site killing large numbers of attackers and hostages both.

There have been multiple accounts disputing the number of hostages and their fates. Algerian officials say that 30 remain unaccounted for, potentially either killed or still held by militants.

Many of the accounts of the inside of the site are still coming from hostages who managed to escape, either surviving yesterday’s attack or somehow managing to avoid capture in the first place.

In addition to the fates of the hostages, there is huge speculation about how the attackers, estimated at around 70, managed to take over the entire plant despite constant patrols and heavy security. Algerian officials say they suspect that there was “inside help,” either from security guards or drivers who helped them access the base so quickly and easily.

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

• US Slams Russia's Missile Sales to Syria - May 17th, 2013
• Nine Killed, 70 Wounded in Bombings Near Kandahar - May 17th, 2013
• Envoy: Russia May Deploy Troops to Tajik-Afghan Border - May 17th, 2013
• Pentagon in Afghan Budget Crisis, Seeks to Shift $10 Billion in Funds - May 17th, 2013
• Nigeria Launching Massive Offensive Against Boko Haram - May 17th, 2013