Siege in the Sahara
Channel 4
September 3, 2013
This film tells the real and terrifying story of British hostages trapped by Al Qaeda in an Algerian gas plant in January 2013.
As the horrific events unfolded over four days in the full glare of the world’s media, the Algerian Special Forces stormed the site in an effort to end the crisis, leaving over 37 foreign hostages dead including a number from Britain.
This is the story from the perspective of those that lived through it: the hostages that survived and their families. The film combines interviews and research with dramatic reconstruction of key events during the four day siege, which was punctuated by gun battles and daring tales of escape and bravery.
The film also raises many unanswered questions, such as how did a convoy of terrorists travel to and gain control of the facility undetected? And who was ultimately responsible for the safety of its workers?
Producer: Adrian Gatton
Associate Producer: Mark Olden
Director: Bruce Goodison
Exec Producers: Nav Raman; Jane Root
This programme was commissioned as a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation. It has also been shown on American’s PBS channel under the title Held Hostage; and in Canada as Siege in the Sahara on CBC’s Passionate Eye documentary series.
The UK inquest on In Amenas will not be held until late 2014. If you have any knowledge of the circumstances of this event then please email me in confidence at contactadriangatton@gmail.com.
Adrian Gatton 