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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
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| Tourists 'kidnapped' in Ethiopia | Tourists 'kidnapped' in Ethiopia |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A group of 15 foreign tourists is missing and feared kidnapped in north-east Ethiopia. | A group of 15 foreign tourists is missing and feared kidnapped in north-east Ethiopia. |
| They include 11 French nationals. Reports suggest at least one Briton and an Italian are among those missing. | 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 local businessman say the group was kidnapped, but the Ethiopian government has not yet commented on a possible abduction. | Diplomats and a local businessman say the group was kidnapped, but the Ethiopian government has not yet commented on a possible 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 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 who works in the area told the Associated Press news agency that one member of the group managed to escape and use a satellite phone to alert the authorities. | A businessman who works in the area told the Associated Press 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 tour operator Origins Ethiopia. | The tourists are reported to have been on camping expedition organised by tour operator Origins Ethiopia. |
| 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 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 reports. |
| Tourists are advised to travel there with an armed guard. | Tourists are advised to travel there with an armed guard. |