Algeria hostage crisis ends after 'final' assault, officials say

(CNN) -- An Algerian military operation ended a deadly hostage crisis at a gas plant Saturday, Algerian and Western officials said, after three days of chaos and confusion left dozens of casualties and sparked world fears of a new front of terror in Africa.

At least 23 hostages and 32 "terrorists" died in the Algerian hostage crisis, Algerian state news said Saturday, citing the military. At least 685 Algerian workers and 107 foreigners have been freed, those reports said.

A "final" assault to dislodge the militant hostage-takers killed seven hostages and 11 militants Saturday at the sprawling facility in eastern Algeria near Libya, Algerian state media reports said.

The Algerian military had to clear mines planted by militants, the official Algerian Press Service reported, citing the country's state-owned oil and gas company.

An Algerian Radio report did not specify the nationalities of those killed in the Algerian government's final push. CNN is unable to verify the state media figures on the deaths.