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Tourists 'go missing' in Ethiopia Tourists 'kidnapped' in Ethiopia
(40 minutes later)
A group of 15 foreign tourists has gone missing in north-east Ethiopia, sources in the country say. A group of 15 foreign tourists has been kidnapped in north-east Ethiopia, sources in the country say.
They include 11 French nationals. Unconfirmed reports suggest a number of Britons are among the missing. They include 11 French nationals. Reports suggest a number of Britons, and an Italian are among the missing.
They were travelling to the remote Afar desert region, about 800km (500 miles) from the capital, Addis Ababa.They were travelling to the remote Afar desert region, about 800km (500 miles) from the capital, Addis Ababa.
A businessman told AP news agency the group had been kidnapped, but the Ethiopian government said it could not confirm reports of an abduction. Diplomats and a businessman have confirmed the kidnapping, but the Ethiopian government said it could not confirm reports of an abduction.
"The government is monitoring the situation," a spokesman for the Information Ministry said, adding that a statement would be released later in the day."The government is monitoring the situation," a spokesman for the Information Ministry said, adding that a statement would be released later in the day.
French diplomats in Ethiopia said the tourists had been kidnapped.French diplomats in Ethiopia said the tourists had been kidnapped.
"There has been a kidnapping, that's certain... It happened the evening before yesterday (Wednesday)," the French ambassador to Ethiopia, Stephane Gompertz told AFP news agency."There has been a kidnapping, that's certain... It happened the evening before yesterday (Wednesday)," the French ambassador to Ethiopia, Stephane Gompertz told AFP news agency.
The tourists were said to be visiting salt mines in the area. The Italian ambassador also confirmed to Reuters news agency that there had been a kidnapping.
According to the businessman, one member of the group managed to escape and use a satellite phone to alert the authorities. A businessman told AP news agency that one member of the group managed to escape and use a satellite phone to alert the authorities.
The tourists are reported to have been on camping expedition organised by Origins Ethiopia, a tour operator based in Kenya.
Correspondents say a number of Ethiopian drivers and guides are also missing.
Afar is known for its inhospitable terrain and thieves and a small rebel group are active there.Afar is known for its inhospitable terrain and thieves and a small rebel group are active there.
Foreign visitors to the area are advised to travel with an armed guard. More intrepid visitors like to tour the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth known for its salt mines and active volcanoes, Reuters news agency reports.
Tourists are advised to travel there with an armed guard.
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