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Tourists missing on Ethiopia trip Tourists missing on Ethiopia trip
(10 minutes later)
Several Britons with connections to the UK government are among a number of tourists missing in Ethiopia, the UK Foreign Office has confirmed.Several Britons with connections to the UK government are among a number of tourists missing in Ethiopia, the UK Foreign Office has confirmed.
Whitehall officials told the BBC there was "a national security dimension" to their disappearance.Whitehall officials told the BBC there was "a national security dimension" to their disappearance.
Diplomats in Ethiopia say the tourists were kidnapped in the remote north-east of the country, 800km (500 miles) from the capital, Addis Ababa.Diplomats in Ethiopia say the tourists were kidnapped in the remote north-east of the country, 800km (500 miles) from the capital, Addis Ababa.
There are conflicting reports about the exact number of people missing.There are conflicting reports about the exact number of people missing.
One tour operator, Origins Ethiopia, said 10 tourists, whose satellite phone had broken, were now known to be safe.One tour operator, Origins Ethiopia, said 10 tourists, whose satellite phone had broken, were now known to be safe.
But some estimates say up to 18 people are still unaccounted for.But some estimates say up to 18 people are still unaccounted for.
Most of the tourists are believed to be French, the others British and Italian.Most of the tourists are believed to be French, the others British and Italian.
They were travelling to the Afar desert, one of the hottest and most inhospitable areas of the world.They were travelling to the Afar desert, one of the hottest and most inhospitable areas of the world.
"We heard about an abduction and we are trying to confirm their whereabouts," Bereket Simon, communications adviser to Ethiopia's prime minister, told AFP news agency."We heard about an abduction and we are trying to confirm their whereabouts," Bereket Simon, communications adviser to Ethiopia's prime minister, told AFP news agency.
"We'll try our best to ensure their safety," he said."We'll try our best to ensure their safety," he said.
British government officials say that the government emergency planning committee Cobra met on Friday to discuss the issue of the missing tourists.British government officials say that the government emergency planning committee Cobra met on Friday to discuss the issue of the missing tourists.
The British nationals have connections to the British Council, the Foreign Office and the Department for International Development, the officials said.The British nationals have connections to the British Council, the Foreign Office and the Department for International Development, the officials said.
Camping tourCamping tour
An official statement from Ethiopia's foreign ministry is expected later on Friday afternoon.An official statement from Ethiopia's foreign ministry is expected later on Friday afternoon.
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. The Afar desert is one of the most inhospitable places on Earth"There has been a kidnapping, that's certain... It happened the evening before yesterday [Wednesday]," the French ambassador to Ethiopia, Stephane Gompertz, told AFP.
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.
Reports suggest that two separate groups - one mainly consisting of French tourists, the other a mixture of nationalities - have disappeared.Reports suggest that two separate groups - one mainly consisting of French tourists, the other a mixture of nationalities - have disappeared.
Correspondents say a number of Ethiopian drivers and guides are also missing.Correspondents say a number of Ethiopian drivers and guides are also missing.
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.
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 news agency 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 news agency reports.
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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