BP staff are holding a minute’s silence today in memory of the people who were killed in the In Amenas hostage crisis.

A week since the firm’s co-owned gas field was attacked by a group of more than 30 terrorists linked with al-Qaeda, the British oil firm said the silence was “a mark of respect for all of those who lost their lives”.

While the firm confirmed yesterday that 14 of its 18 employees on site at the time of the four-day siege are safe, its chief executive said the firm “fears the worst” for the four employees who are still missing.

Bob Dudley said: “The terrible events of last week have affected every one of us at BP deeply. Many of us have friends and colleagues, both in BP and in other companies, who have worked at In Amenas or in similar facilities. We are all thinking of our missing colleagues, those who endured the ordeal and their loved ones.

“We are mindful that many others – from partners, contractors and other companies – have died or remain unaccounted for. Our thoughts are also with their families, friends and loved ones at this time.”

In total, 43 BP staff from various locations across Algeria have left the country over the past few days.