This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6412073.stm

The article has changed 29 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Search for kidnapped UK tourists Search for kidnapped UK tourists
(about 1 hour later)
Foreign Office officials have arrived in Ethiopia to help investigate the kidnapping of five British people.Foreign Office officials have arrived in Ethiopia to help investigate the kidnapping of five British people.
British embassy officials and their relatives are among a number of foreign tourists missing in the north of the country, close to the Eritrean border.British embassy officials and their relatives are among a number of foreign tourists missing in the north of the country, close to the Eritrean border.
There has been no contact with the group for more than 48 hours.There has been no contact with the group for more than 48 hours.
Around 10 British officials, thought to include an expert hostage negotiator, are meeting at the British embassy in the capital, Addis Ababa.Around 10 British officials, thought to include an expert hostage negotiator, are meeting at the British embassy in the capital, Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian police said the tourists were kidnapped, along with 13 Ethiopian drivers and interpreters, about 800km (500 miles) north-east of Addis Ababa.Ethiopian police said the tourists were kidnapped, along with 13 Ethiopian drivers and interpreters, about 800km (500 miles) north-east of Addis Ababa.
Apart from the Britons, most of the tourists are believed to be French.Apart from the Britons, most of the tourists are believed to be French.
The Italian foreign ministry told the AFP news agency that one of those kidnapped had dual British-Italian nationality.The Italian foreign ministry told the AFP news agency that one of those kidnapped had dual British-Italian nationality.
Hostile environmentHostile environment
A search involving Ethiopian police and army is under way in the Afar desert, close to the Eritrean border and one of the hottest and most inhospitable areas of the world.A search involving Ethiopian police and army is under way in the Afar desert, close to the Eritrean border and one of the hottest and most inhospitable areas of the world.
BBC East Africa Correspondent Adam Mynott said investigators were struggling against a lack of "firm information" about what happened to the group, as well as the barren and inhospitable terrain.BBC East Africa Correspondent Adam Mynott said investigators were struggling against a lack of "firm information" about what happened to the group, as well as the barren and inhospitable terrain.
Whitehall officials earlier told the BBC there was "a national security dimension" to the group's disappearance.Whitehall officials earlier told the BBC there was "a national security dimension" to the group's disappearance.
The remote Afar desert appeals to adventure travellersThe remote Afar desert appeals to adventure travellers
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the British government was working with Ethiopian authorities who were "doing all they can to ensure that the situation is resolved peacefully".UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the British government was working with Ethiopian authorities who were "doing all they can to ensure that the situation is resolved peacefully".
The government emergency planning committee Cobra met on Friday to discuss the issue.The government emergency planning committee Cobra met on Friday to discuss the issue.
Earlier, a spokesman for Ethiopia's prime minister told AFP Addis Ababa had "heard about an abduction" and was trying to confirm the missing people's whereabouts, and to ensure their safety.Earlier, a spokesman for Ethiopia's prime minister told AFP Addis Ababa had "heard about an abduction" and was trying to confirm the missing people's whereabouts, and to ensure their safety.
Western diplomats are sending representatives to the largest town in the area, Mekele.Western diplomats are sending representatives to the largest town in the area, Mekele.
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."There has been a kidnapping, that's certain... It happened the evening before yesterday [Wednesday]," the French ambassador to Ethiopia, Stephane Gompertz, told AFP.
Thieves and rebelsThieves and rebels
A businessman who works in the area told the AP 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 AP news agency that one member of the group managed to escape and use a satellite phone to alert the authorities.
Reports suggest that two separate groups - one mainly consisting of French tourists, the other a mixture of nationalities - disappeared.Reports suggest that two separate groups - one mainly consisting of French tourists, the other a mixture of nationalities - disappeared.
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.
On one occasion we were confronted by thieves and shots were exchanged between my guard and the thieves Dr Theodore Mangrove
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.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.
Tourists are advised to travel there with an armed guard.Tourists are advised to travel there with an armed guard.
Readers have been contacting the BBC News website with their experiences of travelling through the region.
Dr Theodore Mangrove, from London, said it was not a journey for the faint-hearted.
"I had an armed guard, and on one occasion we were confronted by thieves and shots were exchanged between my guard and the thieves before we fled in our Land Rover," he said.
"We were lucky to have escaped unscathed. These sorts of incidents are quite normal."
Lucy Chatters, from Cambridge, who spent three months backpacking in East Africa last summer, travelled by public bus.
"I didn't have much trouble aside from the general rowdiness of fellow passengers and their goats," she said.
"I'm surprised to hear about the kidnappings as most Ethiopians/Eritreans I met were extremely nice.
"Maybe it's partly due to the tourists being en masse and presumably in expensive private vehicles?"
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 videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name
 Name