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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Europeans 'kidnapped in Sahara' | Europeans 'kidnapped in Sahara' |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Unknown attackers have kidnapped four European tourists near the border between Niger and Mali, Malian officials say. | Unknown attackers have kidnapped four European tourists near the border between Niger and Mali, Malian officials say. |
| AFP news agency quoted a local governor as saying the hostages included two Swiss, one German and a Briton. | AFP news agency quoted a local governor as saying the hostages included two Swiss, one German and a Briton. |
| The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed two citizens were missing, while UK and German officials were checking reports. | The Swiss foreign ministry confirmed two citizens were missing, while UK and German officials were checking reports. |
| Northern Mali has been the scene of clashes between the army and Tuareg rebels in recent years. | Northern Mali has been the scene of clashes between the army and Tuareg rebels in recent years. |
| In a separate incident, the Malian government said on Thursday that the army had fought Tuareg rebels at a base in the north of Mali. | In a separate incident, the Malian government said on Thursday that the army had fought Tuareg rebels at a base in the north of Mali. |
| At least 31 Tuaregs died, but the government said there were no casualties on its side. | At least 31 Tuaregs died, but the government said there were no casualties on its side. |
| Last month at least 20 people were said to have been killed and several taken hostage in a rebel attack on a military base in northern Mali. | Last month at least 20 people were said to have been killed and several taken hostage in a rebel attack on a military base in northern Mali. |
| In the kidnapping incident, officials said the four Europeans were returning from the Anderamboukane festival on nomad culture in the border area when they were seized. | |
| There were conflicting reports about exactly where the kidnapping took place, with AFP reporting that it was near Bani-Bangou in Niger, while Reuters said it was near Menaka in Mali. | |
| The region is harsh desert. No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnappings. |