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02/03/2007
Tourists kidnapped in Ethiopia
A number of Briton's with government connections are among a group of tourists missing and believed to have been kidnapped in north eastern Ethiopia.
The group of 15 tourists, mainly French, but with British and Italians, were in the Afar desert in the north-east of the country around 500 miles from the capital Addis Ababa.
Although there was no confirmation from Ethiopian authorities, it is reported that the French Ambassador has confirmed the kidnapping. News agencies say that a businessman had said that one of the party had managed to escape and use a satellite phone to contact authorities.
The Foreign Office has amended travel advice for Ethiopia.
"We understand that a number of Western Nationals are reported as missing in north eastern Ethiopia. Embassy staff are urgently seeking clarification from the Ethiopian authorities. Pending further clarification, we advise against all travel to the Afar and Danakil regions of north eastern Ethiopia."
A rebel group is known to be active in the area.
(SP)
The group of 15 tourists, mainly French, but with British and Italians, were in the Afar desert in the north-east of the country around 500 miles from the capital Addis Ababa.
Although there was no confirmation from Ethiopian authorities, it is reported that the French Ambassador has confirmed the kidnapping. News agencies say that a businessman had said that one of the party had managed to escape and use a satellite phone to contact authorities.
The Foreign Office has amended travel advice for Ethiopia.
"We understand that a number of Western Nationals are reported as missing in north eastern Ethiopia. Embassy staff are urgently seeking clarification from the Ethiopian authorities. Pending further clarification, we advise against all travel to the Afar and Danakil regions of north eastern Ethiopia."
A rebel group is known to be active in the area.
(SP)
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05 March 2007
Vehicles found in search for kidnapped Britons
A search team looking for five Britons kidnapped in Ethiopia have discovered three vehicles which appear to have been damaged by gunshots or an explosion. According to reports, the vehicles, which were discovered in the village of Hamedali near the border with Eritrea, still had luggage, shoes and mobile phones inside.
Vehicles found in search for kidnapped Britons
A search team looking for five Britons kidnapped in Ethiopia have discovered three vehicles which appear to have been damaged by gunshots or an explosion. According to reports, the vehicles, which were discovered in the village of Hamedali near the border with Eritrea, still had luggage, shoes and mobile phones inside.
15 December 2011
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26 May 2003
Geldof returns to dought-stricken Ethiopia
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13 March 2007
Britons kidnapped in Ethiopia freed
A group of British embassy workers kidnapped in Ethiopia earlier this month have been released in neighbouring country Eritrea, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett has announced.
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06 June 2014
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