Austin man among escapees in Algeria

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An Austin man is one of the lucky survivors after an Islamist attack in Algeria, which left as many as 19 hostages and 29 militants dead in a natural gas complex in the Sahara.

U.S. Congressman Mike McCaul’s Communications Director Mike Rosen told KXAN News Saturday, “An Austin man was there when it happened. He escaped after the attack.”

The Congressman’s spokesperson would not go into any further detail but did say that the Austin resident would be home as early as Sunday.

Rosen said he would not reveal how the Congressman’s office was notified of the man’s escape after the attack, led by Islamic militants.

The Obama Administration had sought the release of Americans being held by militants on the third day after the initial standoff began.

Among the dead, Frederick Buttaccio from Houston, Texas, though it is unclear how he died. His remains were recovered Friday and family was notified shortly after.