ROME -- A nine-year-old Italian boy was among the 29 people killed in the Al Qaeda attack in Burkina Faso last Friday, the Italian Foreign Ministry said Monday.

 The attack took place on Friday night in the Splendid hotel and neighbouring Cappuccino café in the west African capital, Ouagadougou, as Islamist militants took control of the hotel popular amongst foreigners and UN staff, burning cars outside to scare away nearby crowds.

 Misha Santomenna, the nine-year-old son of the café's owner, was confirmed to have been in the café when the attack took place, along with his Ukrainian mother and aunt. The Kiev foreign minister has announced them both to also be presumed dead.

  At least 56 people were wounded in the attack, and a further 176 hostages were released by security forces. The 29 dead are reported to make up a total of 18 different nationalities, among them Burkinabe, French, Canadian, Swiss, American, Dutch, Libyan and Portuguese. Seven bodies remain to be identified.

 Four of the attackers were killed during the assault and two have been identified as women, officials said. A witness told Agence France-Presse that a fifth attacker was seen rushing into a nearby bar before escaping.

 Matteo Renzi offered his condolences to those affected, saying that, "Speaking as a father, before than as President, there are no words to express Italy's pain and grief at this death of such a young life cut short but hatred."   ft