Japan govt confirms 10th death in Algeria siege

TOKYO: The Japanese government on Thursday confirmed the tenth death in the Algerian hostage siege, its worst toll in an act of terror since the September 2001 attacks on New York.

"We have now identified the remaining body," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told reporters. "We have confirmed the death of a total ten people."

Seventeen Japanese had been at the desert gas plant in In Amenas when gunmen stormed the facility last Wednesday.

Seven were previously known to have survived the four-day ordeal.

"The government for its part wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," said Suga.