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Kidnapped Britons' vehicles found Kidnapped Britons' vehicles found
(about 2 hours later)
A search party looking for five Britons kidnapped in northern Ethiopia have found three damaged vehicles.A search party looking for five Britons kidnapped in northern Ethiopia have found three damaged vehicles.
The vehicles, discovered in the town of Hamedali, near the Eritrean border, all appeared to have been damaged either by shrapnel or an explosion.The vehicles, discovered in the town of Hamedali, near the Eritrean border, all appeared to have been damaged either by shrapnel or an explosion.
The search in the remote Afar region, which has entered its fifth day, has found no sign of the missing Britons or their Ethiopian guides.The search in the remote Afar region, which has entered its fifth day, has found no sign of the missing Britons or their Ethiopian guides.
A Foreign Office spokesman said the discovery was "distressing".A Foreign Office spokesman said the discovery was "distressing".
The five Britons, all UK embassy staff and their relatives, were sightseeing with 13 Ethiopian guides when they went missing in the early hours of Thursday morning.The five Britons, all UK embassy staff and their relatives, were sightseeing with 13 Ethiopian guides when they went missing in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Eritrea has denied claims its forces took them over the disputed border, which is close to where the party disappeared.Eritrea has denied claims its forces took them over the disputed border, which is close to where the party disappeared.
Negotiations
The UK search team negotiated via satellite phone from the village of Berahle, about 37 miles (60km) from Hamedali, to gain access to the kidnap site.The UK search team negotiated via satellite phone from the village of Berahle, about 37 miles (60km) from Hamedali, to gain access to the kidnap site.
The BBC's Adam Mynott said one of the discovered cars had eight shrapnel holes in the driver's door, while a Land Rover had evidence of a small explosion inside the passenger seat. The search team is checking the vehicles for evidence 'Thoughts and prayers'
A third car, belonging to the local administration, was much more badly damaged, he said. The British ambassador to Ethiopia, Bob Dewar, said the group might have been the victims of "mistaken identity".
Their families miss them terribly and want them home Bob DewarBritish ambassador 'I was kidnapped in Afar' Tourism in Ethiopia
"Whatever the case, there will be those in the community who are willing and able to facilitate their safe return.
"We stand ready to hear from anyone with information relating to the group's disappearance."
He added: "My thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those involved. They are husbands, fathers and sons, wives, mothers and daughters. Their families miss them terribly and want them home."
'Working closely'
British diplomats were carrying out interviews with witnesses in the area in an effort to find out what happened.British diplomats were carrying out interviews with witnesses in the area in an effort to find out what happened.
One claimed "around 50 men" came into the Britons' camp in Hamedali on the night of the kidnap. The search team is checking the vehicles for evidence
One witness claimed "around 50 men" came into the Britons' camp in Hamedali on the night of the kidnap.
Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said: "We are working very closely with the Ethiopian government at all levels, as well as with others in the region, to secure their safe and early return."Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said: "We are working very closely with the Ethiopian government at all levels, as well as with others in the region, to secure their safe and early return."
Media 'restraint needed' The Foreign Office said the discovery of the vehicles "highlights the seriousness of the situation".
A statement from the British Ambassador to Ethiopia, Robert Dewar, asked for "restraint" in media reporting of information about the kidnapping and appealed for further information. The BBC's Adam Mynott said one of the discovered cars had eight shrapnel holes in the driver's door, while another had evidence of a small explosion inside the passenger seat.
The group "may be they have been victims of mistaken identity", he said, but embassy officials stood "ready to hear from anyone with information relating to the group's disappearance". A third car, belonging to the local administration, was much more badly damaged, he said.
I would not rule out that this is some kind of staged drama cooked up by the regime in Addis Ababa Ali AbdulEritrean information minister class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6415697.stm">'I was kidnapped in Afar' class="" href="/1/hi/magazine/3958047.stm">Tourism in Ethiopia 'Military uniforms'
Head of the Afar region Ismael Ali Sero earlier said the 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. Head of the Afar region Ismael Ali Sero earlier said the cars used by the sightseers - a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Land Rover Discovery - 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 Waime in Eritrea, and a local herder reportedly saw them at the Ara-ta military camp in Eritrea.He said about 25 Eritreans in military uniform marched the group 12-18 miles (20-30 km) to Waime in Eritrea, and a local herder reportedly saw them at the Ara-ta military camp in Eritrea.
The state-run Ethiopian News Agency said five of the Ethiopians who were with the kidnapped group were found near the Eritrean border late on Saturday.
It was not clear whether they had escaped or were released.
But Yemane Gebremeskel, of Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki's office, said Mr Ismael's claim that Eritrean troops were responsible was "crazy".
"No-one is involved in any business of kidnapping," he told the AFP news agency.
Eritrea's Information Minister Ali Abdul also denied allegations that his government was responsible for the kidnappings.
"I would not rule out that this is some kind of staged drama cooked up by the regime in Addis Ababa," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
The remote Afar desert appeals to adventure travellersThe remote Afar desert appeals to adventure travellers
Tourists visit the area mainly to see the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth known for its salt mines and active volcanoes. The state-run Ethiopian News Agency said five of the Ethiopians who were with the kidnapped group were found near the Eritrean border late on Saturday.
But bandits and rebel groups operate there and travellers are advised to travel with an armed guard. Yemane Gebremeskel, of Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki's office, said Mr Ismael's claim that Eritrean troops were responsible was "crazy".
Eritrea's Information Minister Ali Abdul told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme: "I would not rule out that this is some kind of staged drama cooked up by the regime in Addis Ababa."
Tourists, who visit the area mainly to see the Danakil Depression, one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth known for its salt mines and active volcanoes, are advised to travel with an armed guard because of bandits and rebel groups.