U.S.: 3 Americans total died in Algeria attack

Updated at 6:49 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON Three U.S. citizens were killed in last week's hostage standoff at a natural gas complex in Algeria, while seven Americans made it out safely, the State Department said Monday.

American victims of the hostage situation in Algeria

/ CBS News

The State Department confirmed that gas workers Victor Lynn Lovelady and Gordon Lee Rowan were killed at the Ain Amenas gas field in the Sahara. U.S. officials identified Texas resident Frederick Buttaccio as the first death last week.

"We extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends," department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said in a statement.

"The blame for this tragedy rests with the terrorists who carried it out, and the United States condemns their actions in the strongest possible terms," she added. "We will continue to work closely with the government of Algeria to gain a fuller understanding of the terrorist attack of last week and how we can work together moving forward to combat such threats in the future."

Lovelady's family told CBS affiliate KFDM-TV in Beaumont, Texas, Monday that the FBI informed them Saturday of his death.

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Algerian hostage crisis: Death toll now more than 80

Lovelace's daughter, Erin Lovelace, told CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips: "We asked him all the time: 'Do you feel safe? Do you feel safe? If you don't feel safe you don't have to go." And he goes: ""Ah I feel so ...nothings happened there in so long and my friends have been doing it for so long and it's fine there and it's so safe, we have protection."

Militants who attacked the Ain Amenas gas field in the Sahara had offered to release Lovelady and Rowan in exchange for the freedom of two prominent terror suspects jailed in the United States: Omar Abdel Rahman, a blind sheik convicted of plotting to blow up New York City landmarks and considered the spiritual leader of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, and Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani scientist convicted of shooting at two U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan.

The Obama administration rejected the offer outright.

Last week's desert siege began Wednesday when Mali-based, al Qaeda-linked militants attempted to hijack two buses at the plant, were repelled, and then seized the gas refinery. They said the attack was retaliation for France's recent military intervention against Islamist rebels in neighboring Mali, but the captured militants told Algerian officials it took two months to plan.

Five Americans had been taken out of the country before Saturday's final assault by Algerian forces against the militants.

A U.S. official had told The Associated Press the remaining two Americans survived the four-day crisis at an insecure oil rig at the facility. They were flown out to London on Saturday.

The State Department's Nuland confirmed that seven Americans made it out safely, but said she couldn't provide further details because of privacy considerations.

Algeria says 38 hostages of all nationalities and 29 militants died in the standoff. Five foreign workers remain unaccounted for.

Islamic militant Mukhtar Belmukhtar, who's self-proclaimed "Masked Brigade" carried out the attack, released a video warning Muslims to stay away from Western facilities in North Africa because more would be attacked.

[cynthiascott301k]

The Governments of this Nation should stop giving Aids of any kind to those callus minded Islamist Mid Eastern Nations. Let them make out how they could on their Own as any other Nation does. At any dark corners they are Killing our people as one would do to a dangerous Serpent or animal about to devoured them.

[cynthiascott301k]

I do have doubtful feeling they the Algerian Governments is giving the truth about this striking terror action. They were too hasty to wards off help and deal with a delicate situation where so many humans lives were concerned. It seems they were trying to cover up something very special to them selves in this.

[cynthiascott301k]

This news that there were Canadian Terrorist in the taking of hostages Is one of the hardest dose of medicine to swallow. However There are some of a kind in every Nation if it's the whole truth.

[Anon1d]

I see your point, and I didn't mean to offend anyone. However, if I am ever in real need of news, I can tell you I'm not going to be sitting on cbsnews.com hitting f5 and waiting for them to finally print some biased, edited article on what happened to the people I care about.

[Jessica_Rowan]

When you are sitting for days waiting for news and you keep receiving calls from company reps saying "we have no information" you look everywhere, even when the State Department tells you to stop looking at the news, because it is all speculation. When you are in that situation, you are desperate for any information, any information. even with all the contacts and repeated calls with the powers that be, I still learned about the confirmation of Gordon's death when I read it online this morning. Was I doing exactly what you just described for the duration of this crisis, yes I was. Was it healthy or helpful, no, it was, and is horrifying. But I can't stop. I shouldn't even be on this comments section right now having this discussion. It is like compulsive flogging to cut through this pain. Anon, before this week I would have been in agreement with everything you are saying, but until you have been in this situation, you really don't know anything about it. Your sentiment about American reports focusing on American tragedies was a sentiment I held and stated often before this week. When I said these things before, I also did not mean to offend. I will not be making that statement again.

[Jessica_Rowan]

I implore everyone who is reading this story and is tempted to use the comment section as a venue to espouse your socio/political beliefs to remember that this is a real tragedy with real heartbroken loves one who will be reading it as well. Thank you for your consideration. Jessica Rowan

[Anon1d]

I like how you have to read 2/3 of the article just to hear about the SIXTY FOUR non American people that died. Actually I don't like it, I think it is a prime example of the ignorance and self-centeredness of Americans, and their news.

[Jessica_Rowan]

Anon: I used to hold that same opinion when I would read news articles. Now I know that family members who are waiting for days without news of thier missing loved ones look to those nationality numbers to get information about whether or not it is possible that thier loved ones may have made it out, or are amongst the deceased. If you look at the articles from other countries you will see that they emphasize their citizens.

[quincytodd]

Three Americans had to die for nothing because of those trigger-happy Algerian idiots. This proves just how little the sanctity of human life means to those idiots but the right-wing media will undoubtedly tout them as "heroes"!

[jnostromo]

There is only one way to deal with extremist vermin....Swift, annihilation...The world learned nothing from 1939-1945....

[orfl1]

The administration will tell us that the terrorists will be brought to justice....just like they were brought to justice after the Benghazi attack.

[frankie2fing]

Okay, my tinfoil hatted friend. If a Russian diplomat is killed in the United States, would you want the Russians pursuing the killers on US soil?

Explain to me who exactly it was that authorized the mission to get OBL?

YOUR President will assist in any way possible, the legitimate (rape?) government in the pursuit of these monsters within their own country.

Cool you jets, join the human race. Unless you prefer to go rogue and pursue them yourself...or do you just pretend to be tough. We call that dress up. Please refrain from wearing your mom's clothes...

[tmonta67]

Ok people, let's stay on track and remind ourselves who the real enemy is: RADICAL FUNDAMENTAL ISLAMISTS. They are responsible for the Christmas subway bombings in Paris in 1995 (before US citizes had any idea of who they were)...for 9/11 a few years later...for countless worldwide attacks since....not the peaceful Islamists.