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Tourists missing on Ethiopia trip Tourists missing on Ethiopia trip
(40 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 foreign tourists missing and feared kidnapped in a remote part of Ethiopia.
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 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.
Safety fears
Details of what happened are sketchy, but the BBC's Mike Wooldridge at the Foreign Office, understands that a sizeable group carried out an attack or an abduction and that there was small arms fire.
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. The remote Afar desert appeals to adventure travellersThey 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. UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said the British government was working with Ethiopian authorities who "are doing all they can to ensure that the situation is resolved peacefully".
"We'll try our best to ensure their safety," he said. Ms Beckett said five of the missing Britons were members of staff from the UK embassy in Addis Ababa or relatives of staff.
The UK Foreign Office said the missing Britons were members of staff from the UK embassy in Addis Ababa or relatives of staff.
The UK government is sending a team to north-east Ethiopia to help with efforts to find them.The UK government is sending a team to north-east Ethiopia to help with efforts to find them.
Officials said the government emergency planning committee Cobra met on Friday to discuss the issue.Officials said the government emergency planning committee Cobra met on Friday to discuss the issue.
Camping tour Earlier, Bereket Simon, communications adviser to Ethiopia's prime minister, told AFP news agency Addis Ababa had "heard about an abduction and we are trying to confirm [the missing people's] whereabouts".
An official statement from Ethiopia's foreign ministry is expected later on Friday afternoon. "We'll try our best to ensure their safety," he said.
French diplomats in Ethiopia said the tourists had been kidnapped.French diplomats in Ethiopia said the tourists had been kidnapped.
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."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 rebels
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 - 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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