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Eritrean forces blamed for kidnap Eritrean forces blamed for kidnap
(about 1 hour later)
Eritrean forces are behind the kidnap of five British people in Ethiopia, a local 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 Ethiopia's northern Afar region said 20 to 25 troops attacked the embassy officials and their relatives while they were asleep. The president of Ethiopia's northern Afar region said 20 to 25 troops attacked the embassy officials and their relatives as they slept.
Ismael Ali Sero said four cars used by the sightseers were set on fire in the raid on their camp early on Thursday. Ismael Ali Sero also said cars used by the sightseers were set on fire in the raid on their camp early on Thursday. Eritrea denies any involvement.
The Britons were then marched to Eritrea, he said, where they were being held in the town of Waime. Mr Ismael said the group was marched to the town of Waime in Eritrea.
According to Mr Ismael, the Britons were marched 12-18 miles (20-30 km) through the disputed border region. The Britons were taken 12-18 miles (20-30 km) through the disputed border region, he said.
He said money, mobile and satellite phones were also stolen.He said money, mobile and satellite phones were also stolen.
The Briton's tour operator Tony Hickey told the AFP news agency that three vehicles in which the Britons and 13 Ethiopians were travelling had been found destroyed in Hamed Ela near the border.
Mr Hickey, who runs the Ethiopian Quadrants tour company, said locals reported the cars were hit by anti-tank grenade launchers and that one or two Ethiopians were also kidnapped.
The UK Foreign Office said it could not confirm the reports.The UK Foreign Office said it could not confirm the reports.
French nationals 'safe'French nationals 'safe'
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.
About 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.About 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.
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.
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.
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