Security personnel also reported two injured and 20 people released amid media reports of a hostage situation. Multiple outlets reported that the hotel, Le Campement Kangaba, was a favourite destination for expatriates in the country, China Post reported.
One of the dead was a woman with dual Malian and French citizenship, the security ministry said on Facebook. The other victim’s identity had not been determined.
The two people injured were described as a civilian and a member of the security forces.
A person at the UN mission for Mali confirmed a “situation” at the hotel.
Anti-terror forces from several countries arrived on the scene soon after the attack and surrounded the hotel. Eyewitnesses spoke of soldiers from Mali, the United States, France and UN peacekeepers.
According to the Malian security ministry statement, one of the armed attackers was able to flee.