This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-33729341
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Indian teachers 'kidnapped in Libya' | Indian teachers 'kidnapped in Libya' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Four Indian teachers have been kidnapped in Libya, India's foreign ministry has said. | Four Indian teachers have been kidnapped in Libya, India's foreign ministry has said. |
The four were abducted at a checkpoint near the city of Sirte, where they were teaching at a university. | |
The Islamic State (IS) group has a strong presence in Sirte, hometown of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. | The Islamic State (IS) group has a strong presence in Sirte, hometown of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. |
Libya has descended into chaos since Gaddafi's death in Sirte in October 2011, with various militias fighting for power. | |
The teachers, who hail from the southern Indian states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, were working with the University of Sirte. | |
They were kidnapped on their way back to India on Wednesday. | |
"They were returning to India via Tripoli and Tunis, when they were detained at a checkpoint approximately 50km (31 miles) from Sirte," an Indian foreign ministry spokesperson said. | |
It is still not clear who kidnapped the teachers, but the spokesperson said the Indians "have been brought back to the city of Sirte". | |
"We are in regular touch with the families concerned and all efforts are being made to ensure the well-being and early release of the four Indian nationals," India's foreign ministry said in a statement. | |
Most of Sirte, former leader Muammar Gaddafi's hometown, fell to IS in May. | Most of Sirte, former leader Muammar Gaddafi's hometown, fell to IS in May. |
Last July a group of 65 Indian nurses were trapped in fighting which engulfed parts of Libya. | Last July a group of 65 Indian nurses were trapped in fighting which engulfed parts of Libya. |
The nurses, who had been working in various hospitals in the country, safely returned to India in August. | The nurses, who had been working in various hospitals in the country, safely returned to India in August. |
In June 2014, 40 Indians - all construction workers - were kidnapped in the violence-hit Iraqi city of Mosul. Their fate is still not known. | |