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Eritrean forces blamed for kidnap Eritrean forces blamed for kidnap
(10 minutes later)
Eritrean forces are behind the kidnap of five British people in Ethiopia, an official has told the BBC. Eritrean forces are behind the kidnap of five British people in Ethiopia, a local official has told the BBC.
The president of the northern Afar region said 20 to 25 troops attacked the Foreign Office officials and their relatives while they were sleeping. The president of the northern Afar region said 20 to 25 troops attacked the embassy officials and their relatives while they were sleeping.
Ismael Ali Sero said the group's four cars were also attacked during the raid on their camp at 3am on Thursday. Ismael Ali Sero said four cars used by the sightseers were attacked during the raid on their camp early on Thursday.
The Britons were then marched to Eritrea, he said, where they are being held in the town of Waime.The Britons were then marched to Eritrea, he said, where they are being held in the town of Waime.
French nationals 'safe'French nationals 'safe'
The UK Foreign Office has not confirmed the reports.
The group of embassy officials and their relatives went missing in the north of the country, near the Eritrean border, and there has been no contact with the group for more than two days.The group of embassy officials and their relatives went missing in the north of the country, near the Eritrean border, and there has been no contact with the group for more than two days.
Seven French nationals who had been thought to be among the kidnapped group are safe and well, the group's travel company, Origins Ethiopia, has said.Seven French nationals who had been thought to be among the kidnapped group are safe and well, the group's travel company, Origins Ethiopia, has said.
Around 10 British officials, thought to include an expert hostage negotiator, have been meeting at the British embassy in the capital, Addis Ababa, in an attempt to find the missing Britons.Around 10 British officials, thought to include an expert hostage negotiator, have been meeting at the British embassy in the capital, Addis Ababa, in an attempt to find the missing Britons.
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.
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 the Ethiopian police and army is under way in the Afar desert region, close to the Eritrean border and one of the hottest and most barren areas of the world. Bandits and rebel groups operate there.A search involving the Ethiopian police and army is under way in the Afar desert region, close to the Eritrean border and one of the hottest and most barren areas of the world. Bandits and rebel groups operate there.
The owner of travel company Origins Ethiopia, Samson Teshombe, received a call from one of the seven French nationals thought to have been kidnapped, who said they were safe and well.The owner of travel company Origins Ethiopia, Samson Teshombe, received a call from one of the seven French nationals thought to have been kidnapped, who said they were safe and well.
Whitehall officials earlier told the BBC there was "a national security dimension" to British group's disappearance.Whitehall officials earlier told the BBC there was "a national security dimension" to British group's disappearance.
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.
Tourist adviceTourist advice
More intrepid visitors to the Afar region 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 to the Afar region like to tour the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth known for its salt mines and active volcanoes.
On one occasion we were confronted by thieves and shots were exchanged between my guard and the thieves Dr Theodore MangroveOn one occasion we were confronted by thieves and shots were exchanged between my guard and the thieves Dr Theodore Mangrove
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.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.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."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.""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.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 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."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?""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.
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