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| Tourists 'kidnapped' in Ethiopia | Tourists 'kidnapped' in Ethiopia |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A group of 15 foreign tourists has been kidnapped 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. Reports suggest at least one Briton and an Italian are among those 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. |
| Diplomats and a businessman have confirmed the kidnapping, but there has been no official word on an abduction from the Ethiopian government so far. | |
| "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 Italian ambassador also confirmed to Reuters news agency that there had been a kidnapping. | The Italian ambassador also confirmed to Reuters news agency that there had been a kidnapping. |
| A businessman told AP news agency that 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | Tourists are advised to travel there with an armed guard. |
| Have you visited the Afar region? Have you taken part in a similar expedition? Send us your experiences using the form below. | Have you visited the Afar region? Have you taken part in a similar expedition? Send us your experiences using the form below. |
| You can also email your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. | You can also email your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |