Watch Tuesday, October 22, 2013 at 9pm on WMHT TV.
HELD HOSTAGE, a new one-hour documentary special on PBS, details for the first time the real and full story behind the al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist attack in Algeria on the In Amenas gas facility, which was jointly operated by Algerian and European energy companies, including BP. The program raises unanswered questions about the attack: How did a convoy of terrorists travel undetected hundreds of miles and gain control of one of Algeria’s most important and valuable gas facilities? Ultimately, who is responsible for the safety of the facility’s workers?
In January 2013, foreign employees of the remote natural gas facility located deep in the Sahara — which included men from more than a dozen countries like the United States, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Japan and Norway, as well as hundreds of Algerians — were held hostage over a four-day period. Some hostages were draped with explosives, some were executed, and others in the group were killed during a raid by Algerian Special Forces that ended the siege. All told, more than 37 hostages lost their lives in the attack.
Prior to the siege, foreign employees feared that the area around In Amenas was vulnerable due to an increase in militant violence in neighboring countries and a lack of security at their isolated facility. Despite their expressed concerns, security remained minimal and the employees were nearly defenseless against the eventual attack on In Amenas.
HELD HOSTAGE combines compelling, emotional and exclusive first-person interviews with expert analysis and dramatic reconstructions of significant events and moments that unfolded over the four days. Among those interviewed are survivors of the ordeal and family members of those who were killed, many speaking on camera for the first time. Survivors recount efforts to stay hidden from the assailants while trying to determine what was happening around them. The film details acts of heroism among friends and colleagues, and asks lingering questions about whether more hostages could have been saved. It also explores the response of the international community as the siege was unfolding.
“HELD HOSTAGE recounts an important event in contemporary history and gives viewers an unprecedented glimpse through first-person testimony and dramatic reconstruction into an extremely tense and dangerous situation,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming for PBS. “We are proud to be collaborating with Nutopia to bring this important story to U.S. audiences.”
“This powerful film tells an extraordinary and tragic story, and we’re incredibly grateful these brave men and women were willing to recount the terrifying ordeal they and their family members suffered in Algeria,” said Jane Root, Nutopia CEO.
