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/6416597.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Hunt for kidnap victims continues Hunt for kidnap victims continues
(about 3 hours later)
The Ethiopian and UK governments are continuing their search for five British people kidnapped four days ago.The Ethiopian and UK governments are continuing their search for five British people kidnapped four days ago.
Eritrea has denied claims its forces snatched them in Ethiopia and marched them to a military camp in Eritrea.Eritrea has denied claims its forces snatched them in Ethiopia and marched them to a military camp in Eritrea.
The Foreign Office did not confirm the report, and the Ethiopian ambassador to the UK refused to "finger point".The Foreign Office did not confirm the report, and the Ethiopian ambassador to the UK refused to "finger point".
The embassy staff and their relatives were sightseeing near the disputed border region between the countries when they went missing. The embassy staff and their relatives were sightseeing along with 13 Ethiopian guides near the disputed border when they all went missing.
Several Ethiopian drivers and translators who had been accompanying the Britons are also missing. But the state-run Ethiopian News Agency is reporting that five of the Ethiopians - working as drivers and translators - were found near the Eritrean border late on Saturday.
Ismael Ali Sero, head of the Afar region in the north of Ethiopia, said cars used by the sightseers were set on fire in the early-morning raid on their camp. It was not clear whether they had escaped or were released.
We are not in the business of finger pointing at any group or individual or any country Berharnu Kebede, Ethiopian ambassador to the UK class="" href="/1/hi/magazine/3958047.stm">Tourism in Ethiopia class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6415697.stm">'I was kidnapped in Afar' Foreign Office Minister Geoff Hoon told ITV1's The Sunday Edition that the department was "working as hard as we possibly can" to resolve the situation.
We are not in the business of finger pointing at any group or individual or any country Berharnu Kebede, Ethiopian ambassador to the UK 'I was kidnapped in Afar' Tourism in Ethiopia
"It is a matter of grave importance...as it would be with any British tourist," he said.
"But obviously staff in the Foreign Office feel particularly strongly because it is their people, their families, and a great deal of effort is being made to secure their freedom."
Ismael Ali Sero, head of the Afar region in the north of Ethiopia, said cars used by the sightseers were set on fire in the early-morning raid on their camp, about 800km (500 miles) north-east of Addis Ababa.
He said about 25 Eritreans in military uniform marched the group 12-18 miles (20-30 km) to the town of Waime in Eritrea.He said about 25 Eritreans in military uniform marched the group 12-18 miles (20-30 km) to the town of Waime in Eritrea.
Money, mobile and satellite phones were also stolen, he added.Money, mobile and satellite phones were also stolen, he added.
A senior Ethiopian official in the ruling party, who asked not to be named, said a herder saw the British group at the Ara-ta military camp in Eritrea and reported it to the Ethiopians.A senior Ethiopian official in the ruling party, who asked not to be named, said a herder saw the British group at the Ara-ta military camp in Eritrea and reported it to the Ethiopians.
Peace deal
But Berharnu Kebede, Ethiopian ambassador to the UK, said: "We are not in the business of finger pointing at any group or individual or any country.But Berharnu Kebede, Ethiopian ambassador to the UK, said: "We are not in the business of finger pointing at any group or individual or any country.
"For us the priority is to secure the safe return of these people, so no official from the Ethiopian government has said that." "For us the priority is to secure the safe return of these people."
Mr Kebede added: "Our government at all levels is working hard to secure the safe return of these people. And we are also working closely with the government of the United Kingdom."
Yemane Gebremeskel, the director of Eritrean President Issaias Afeworki's office, said Mr Ismael's claim was "crazy".Yemane Gebremeskel, the director of Eritrean President Issaias Afeworki's office, said Mr Ismael's claim was "crazy".
"No one is involved in any business of kidnapping," he told AFP."No one is involved in any business of kidnapping," he told AFP.
"Of course there are no Eritrean soldiers in Ethiopia." The area is one of hottest places on Earth (picture: Sam Vader)
A peace deal was struck in 2000 but the two countries have yet to define the status of the border, patrolled by UN observers.A peace deal was struck in 2000 but the two countries have yet to define the status of the border, patrolled by UN observers.
French nationals 'safe' The BBC World Service's Africa Editor, David Bamford, said the claims of Eritrean involvement were being met with scepticism.
"It doesn't seem to be in the Eritrean government's interest at all to be engaged in anything like this."
He said the allegations were coming from local party officials in Ethiopia, who could be seen as having an "axe to grind".
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.
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 the incident and the government emergency planning committee Cobra met on Friday to discuss it.
The area is one of hottest places on Earth (picture: Sam Vader) Popular region
The government emergency planning committee Cobra met on Friday to discuss the issue.
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.
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.
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.
But bandits and rebel groups operate there and tourists are advised to travel there with an armed guard.But bandits and rebel groups operate there and tourists are advised to travel there with an armed guard.
Popular region
Tony Hickey, from Ethiopia Quadrants, the tour company that arranged the Britons' trip, said local reports suggested three of his vehicles were hit by anti-tank grenade launchers in Hamed Ela near the border.Tony Hickey, from Ethiopia Quadrants, the tour company that arranged the Britons' trip, said local reports suggested three of his vehicles were hit by anti-tank grenade launchers in Hamed Ela near the border.
He told BBC Five Live that many foreign tourists visit the area each year and it was usually safe. He told BBC Five Live "thousands" of foreign tourists had travelled safely in the area, which had become popular in recent years.
"We've had thousands of people going through that area," he said.
"Over the last five, six, seven years, it's become a popular routing. Nothing has ever happened."
He added that he believed the risks were greatest for the Ethiopian captives because they had less "diplomatic value".