Norwegian oil major Statoil ASA (STO) Friday said two of its employees have been confirmed dead in the fatal attack on the In Amenas gas facility in Algeria.

The two are Tore Bech, 58, from Bergen and Thomas Snekkevik, 35, from Austrheim and Bergen , Norway .

"Our thoughts are first and foremost with the families and close friends who have lost their loved ones in this horrific and senseless attack on innocent people," Chief Executive Helge Lund said in a statement. "All of us in Statoil share their grief and express our deep sympathy during this difficult time. We are still very concerned about our three colleagues who remain missing."

Three more Norwegians working for Statoil are still unaccounted for. A team of forensic experts from Norway are working with Algerian authorities in Algiers to identify bodies recovered after the attack.

Algeria has said at least 37 foreigners were killed in the four-day siege of the facility that started Jan. 16.

The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier Friday said it no longer believes there is hope that remaining Norwegians will be found alive.

"There are still search operations going on, inside and outside the In Amenas facility, but unfortunately we no longer consider it likely that survivors will be found," foreign ministry spokesman Svein Michelsen said.

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