Tourists 'kidnapped' in Ethiopia

A group of 15 foreign tourists is missing and feared kidnapped in north-east Ethiopia.

They include 11 French nationals. Reports suggest at least one Briton and an Italian are among those missing.

They were travelling to the remote Afar desert region, about 800km (500 miles) from the capital, Addis Ababa.

Diplomats and a local businessman say the group was kidnapped, but the Ethiopian government has not yet commented on a possible abduction.

"The government is monitoring the situation," a spokesman for the Information Ministry said, adding that a statement would be released later in the day.

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 news agency.

The Italian ambassador also confirmed to Reuters news agency that there had been a kidnapping.

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.

The tourists are reported to have been on camping expedition organised by tour operator Origins Ethiopia.

Correspondents say a number of Ethiopian drivers and guides are also missing.

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 reports.

Tourists are advised to travel there with an armed guard.